
























4 O ^^ 















♦ a5» ^^ 








V^'^rt* 



THE 



IMPROVED SYSTEM 



OF 



EDUCATING THE HORSE, 



^ I$Y I>. M^OIVEK, 



AUTHOK OF THE NEW SYSTEM, &c. 
ALSO A 

TREATISE ON SHOEING, 

AND THE 

DISEASES OF THE HORSE AMD THEIR TREATMENT, 
WITH VALUABLE RECIPES, &c. 



-•♦# 



EIGHTH ED4TI0N, REVISED AND ENLARGED. 
•-♦-• 



/ 



ROCHESTER, N. Y. 

EVENING EXPRESS BOOK PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT, 

1869. 



common practice, I would call your attention 
to some of the most common causes of annoy- 
ance and trouble, both in relation to the pecu- 
liarities of disposition to be found in horses, 
and to imprudence of management, that should 
be guarded against. 

It must be admitted that our present Theory 
of subjection for both general and local resist- 
ance, is by far the most scientific and practical 
that has yet been discovered or tanght, and 
that we can produce results now with horses 
which to assume ability to do a few years since, 
would be regarded as impossible. We have 
shown how easy it is to control the most power- 
ful horse, and how readilv the most vicious 
animal will yield perfect obedience to every 
command when properly treated. But prin- 
ciples, are simply rules to accomplish certain 
ends most easily and surely, and their prin- 
cipal value in practice must depend upon the 
judgment used in applying them. The horse 
is governed by fixed laws. Pie is an animal of 
great strength, and acute sensibilities. 

!N"ow, as the sensibilities excite the action of 
the mind in calling the strength into play, it is 
quite or more important that the sensibilities 
are not exposed to causes that would excite 
their undue action, as well as aim to combat 
resistance when excited. 

The mind or brain is the part that controls 
the animal, and to this the attention must be 
directed as the key through the action of which 
the animal is guided and controlled. It is by 
the brain the horse understands and obeys, and 
it is by the brain or nervous system, being sub- 
jected to bad impressions, that resistance or 
fear is excited. If the fears and passions are 



excited in forcing obedience, the increased re- 
sistance in consequence neutralises the advan- 
tage of power, or the necessity for force will 
be greatly increased ; if, on the contrary, 
physical resistance is overcome without exciting 
the passions, no resistance being excited, obedi- 
ence is easily secured. A man will not light 
if not excited in some way, and a child is good 
natured, and progresses rapidly and smoothly 
in his studies if gently and skill fuly instructed. 
If scolded, abused, and irritated, the animal 
part of his nature subverts the reason, and the 
only impulse is enmity and retaliation. Of 
course it is the primary object, and it is one of 
the great conditions of success, to guard against 
causes of excitement, which, it is conceded 
without argument, always increases the diffi- 
culties of success, by not only so confuting the 
mind as to be unable to act, but increasing the 
difficulty of resistance, it is important to prevent. 

The simplest and rudest form of government 
is that based upon power to take life or inflict 
bodily injury — the weak 3delding to the strong 
from necessity; the highest and most successful 
that of addressing and winning the co-operation 
of the reason and affections. Human govern- 
ment is based upon the restraints and penalties 
of law, Divine government to the highest facul- 
ties of the mind and affections. The more 
ignorant and excited by passion a people, the 
more severe and positive must be the powers of 
restraint and punishment ; the more enlight- 
ened and free from depraving influences, the 
less necessity for restraint or watchfulness. 

On the same principle, we see that the more 
animal predisposition there is in a horse, or the 
more his bad nature is excited, the more unre- 



8 

liable the cliaractcr, and the more diilicuTty 
there will be in forciiii2^ obedience. 

The point now of nice importance is : How 
can tho wild, bad horse, be reduced to perfect 
subjection without cxcitin^i; the passions, or 
endangering injury. This I h;ive shown how 
to do, and of course cannot give explanations 
of the treatment here— excepting those on de- 
tails, which will be found hereafter, since it 
was taught as a secret; but based upon this i» 
the object of showing' and teaching the horse a 
knowledge of what is required, and on this 
point I would call the attention of the reader 
to an imprudence that must be guarded against, 
of pounding, yelling and jerking, that can have 
no other etfcct upon the animal than to irritate 
and confuse. 



Iaii»<»r<»u4'0 of I'l'iilJi aiKl Uhii'oi'iiiity. 

Horses cannot talk, and consecpiently cannot 
understand the meaning of language, only so 
far as associated with actions. The meaning of 
words or signals, can onl}^ be learned by associa- 
ting words with actions — consequently, to un- 
derstand clearly the meaning of each signal or 
command, they must be uniform, necessitating 
care in conveying the meaning desi4'ed, using* 
only the actions and w^ords by which the ani- 
mal is taught to do what is rec^nired. I^ow it 
is a common, but of course unintentional, fault 
in most men, not only in training, but in usiuj^ 
their horses, to talk and act so carelessly with 
them, that it is scarcely possible for even the 
best trained horses to understand, or obey 
promptly the commands of the driver. For 
cjiamplcj it is common to say " whoa," on any 





and most all occasioiiH. If goi!i<^ too fast whoa 
in several tirnen repeated to ^o nlower. 

A gentleman while nhowing nie a favorite 
horse, that would not f5top or stand when com- 
manded, wlien a[)])roaching and while handling 
the animal said whoa fourteen times, though it 
was necessary to say wlioa hut orice. V^et the 
man could not see that such treatment was 
exactly of the character to teach carelessness 
and resistance. 

There could not be an understanding of the 
commands since they were without definite 
meaning. 

[t is evident that if a liorse is not moving, 
this word when used looses the force of its 
meaning, and if it is desired to go slower it 
cannot convey the idea desired, since it is the 
signal for sto})ping. Tlie best trained horse in 
the world would soon he spoiled by such care- 
lessness of expression. Not only this, but 
there is a habit of yelling every little command 
that is out of 5.1II reason. As the horse must 
learn to understand, and to obey every com- 
mand by actions and words, tlie expressions 
given to the actions and words should he care- 
fully regulated to indicate the energy and 
promptness with which obedience becomes 
necessary. For all cn'dinary purposes, the tone 
<jf voice should be rather low, hut clear and 
distinct; at each repetition a little sharper and 
more positive; and there should be the greatest 
care to exact perfect obedience to each com- 
mand ; as it is only by each word and action, 
and the expression with which they are given, 
having ejiact and fixed meaning, that the horse 
can understand instantly, and obey with cer- 
tainty and readiness. 
1* 



10 

^J^oo much at a time should not be attempted 
with the horse during his tuition. The lessons 
should he short, but thorough, encouraging b}^ 
little presents of apples, or something the ani- 
mal likes, for obedience. Special care should 
be taken to thus caress and reward a sensitive, 
courageous horse, especially aftei* resisting, and 
force has been used. 

£:Ktreincs of Isiiellig^^sice atid Tcnaper. 

In studying animal nature, we see the more 
brain and less animal propensity, the more 
intelligence and less wildness and ferocity ; and 
the less brain and more animal nature, the less 
intelligence and more tenacity of resistance — - 
showing extremes and modifications of intelli- 
gence and character in exact accordance to the 
relation and strength of brain, and the different 
faculties by which excited and controlled. 

Each type of character Would seem to be an 
extreme or modification of this law ; those of 
the domestic class having more brain or pro- 
portionately less of the fierce wildness and 
combative disposition of the wild animals. 

This we see illustrated in a remarkable de- 
gree, not only in the wild and more savage of 
the lower animals, but in the domestic animals ; 
showing even marked extremes in the same 
family. Hence, one dog is affectionate and 
gentle, another is surly, cross and savage. In 
almost every herd or group of farm animals 
there is one more wild or vicious than the 
others. One cow is more difiicult to approach 
and milk than the others ; one ox or mule is 
more difiicult and dangerous to manage than 
others ; and by the same law, we see there is 



11 



greater or less degrees of vitality — it being a 
common remark that such naturally wild and 
vicious animals are much more hardy and en- 
durinor than those that are not. 




■C/v^^ 



FIKBY— NEEDS WATCHLNG. 



The horse is perhaps the best iiiuotiiiiion of 
these characteristics. Thus we see that in pro- 
portion to the degree there is predominance 
or balance of animal nature, there is positive- 
ness or not of character ; and to the degree 
that we find sensibility and intelligence to 
counterbalance, or in excess of the animal na- 
ture, there will be corresponding docility and 
intelligence. 

The Lama, (used to carry burthens over the 
Andes,) having but little of this coarse nature, 
will not bear abuse, and will lie down discour- 
aged and die, if overloaded and not relieved. 
The Camel of a less sensitive type will toil 
patiently and nobly under the heaviest burden, 



VJ 



meekly submitting to any extreme of abuse. 
The ass, mule or ox, having a still larger modi- 
fication of the combative type, ai-e more posi- 
tive and aggressive, and consequently liable to 
become more dangerous and difficult to manage. 

The horse, (acknowledged to be the nearest 
correllet of man in disposition,) possesses all the 
modifications and extremes of disposition and 
muscular activity of the other animals, and is 
by far the most powerful, persistent and plastic 
of the domestic animals. Hence, we see sensi- 
bility, intelligence, courage and activity, ex- 
pressive of the roving ambition and generous 
nobility of man's finer and purer nature. 

If there is great predisposition to resistance, 
more vitality or bottom may be anticipated, 
and proportionately more care and energy wilt 
become necessary to win obedience and docil- 
ity. This is proved not only in the horse but 
in the treatment of the domestic animals be- 
fore named. 




^ <'■■'■■ 



fiENaiTITX AKD FLIGHTX. 



13 

The Lama, l)eing of a nervous temperatueutj 
with scarcely a trace of coarse animal nature, 
does not need the whip, and will yield obedi- 
ence most readily to affectionate treatment, 
while those of courage and will, combat resis- 
tance, and bear and contest resistance with 
energy. A quick, sensitive, excitable horse 
will not bear rough careless treatment to the 
degree that a slow cold-blooded one would, 
and horses havinty larsre active brains will 
learn more easily and yield more readily to 
restraint than those of a sullen, mulish dispo- 
sition. 

Fine Blooded Horsen Require Mofe <*are. 

The slow, patient, dull horse may work from 
the start in harness kindly, while the warm 
blooded sensitive horse is usually nervous and 
excitable, and requires more care and skillful 
treatment to insure perfect submission to the 
irritation and restraint of harness or wagon ; 
and is persistently reckless in resistance when 
excited by fear, or when taught to resist con- 
trol in any way. 

Indications of Cliaractei'. 

Character is usually indicated by certain 
peculiarities. Large size denotes great strength, 
and line dense texture shows activity and ca- 
pacity to endure prolonged exertion. A large, 
prominent, bold, eager, but mild and pleasant- 
eye, full broad forehead, distance short from 
eyes to ears, ears short and tapering or active, 
denotes great natural docility and intelligence; 
while small round eyes, set well into the head, 



14 



or eye-lids heavy, ibrehejid narrow, long from 
eyes to ears, ears long and flabby or drooping, 
indicate a mean treacherous disposition. 







INTEIjLIOENT ANli QENlXli. 




DLTliL AND TBKACHEROUS. 



15 

t'rom these extremes modifications are Un- 
limited, developing new phases of character 
that call tor more or less modification of the 
efforts. 

To the practised eye the exact type of temper- 
ament or disposition becomes instantly per- 
ceptible, by the peculiarities and expression of 
countenance and density of texture. 

Care in Breed in g'. 

There are many remote caUses that greatly 
affect the character of the horse, that deserves 
the serious consideration of the thou<>:htful 
horseman, without an understanding of which 
there cannot be a correct comprehension of the 
subject. However apparently trifling first causes 
may appear in themselves, it is certain that 
they often lead to consequences that the most 
careful and thorough treatment will partially 
or wholly fail to overcome. 

In studying causes that powerfully afiect the 
character, by inducing derangement of the ner- 
vous system or mania: If we go to the source 
we must go back to the sires ajid the condition 
of the nervous system at the time they were 
brought together. It is an inviolate law of 
nature that like produces like. It is evident, 
therefore, that to raise good horses, good horses 
must be bred from. This is not only true re- 
garding size, form, soundness, and density of 
texture, but in disposition. As much care 
should be taken in the selection of horses for 
good disposition, as for size, symmetry, action 
and strong circulation. It is also undoubtedly 
true that the condition of the nervous system 
at the time of connection, and the condition in 



. 10 

wliicli the mare is kept during gestation, has a 
powerful ettect upon the character of the colt. 
If the horse is of the most gentle character, if 
mad when used to the mare, so marked is the 
effect of the excitement that the colt is almost 
sure to prove of a bad irritable temper. If 
the mare is subjected to a great shock of fear, 
or greatly abused while with foal, the colt is 
almost sure to show the effect by being of an 
extremely irritable, flighty unreliable character* 

C'olts Must Not he Excited. 

A marked extreme of viciousness or lunacy 
may be produced by more direct and noticable 
causes. To illustrate this, I will refer to one 
out of many instances of this character. A 
three year old colt that was noted for gentle- 
ness, being raised a pet and allowed to run at 
large, trespassed on a neighbor's premises. 
Dogs, shouting, &c., had lost all effect in the 
efforts to keep the colt away, and from an 
impulse of vexation the boys tied a tin pan to 
the colt's tail, and then set the dogs after the 
animal. At lirst the colt did not seem to notice 
the pan, but when pressed by the dogs and it 
began to pound and rattle against tlie heels, 
alarm was excited. The most vain efforts to 
get away from the terrible object, by kicking 
and running, was resorted to, until exhausted ; 
and the effect was so powerful upon the ner- 
vous system, that the stirring or touching of 
anything near, or to the hind parts, would cause 
the greatest fear and reckless kicking. The fear 
thus excited became involuntary by being thus 
deranged, and the colt was spoiled. Ko matter 
how excited, if greatly frightened the effect ia 



17 

the same upon the nervous system. The iiiast 
careless observer can scarcely tail to notice 
horses that are afraid of an umbrella, a robe, a 
top wagon, the soiind of a drum, or something 
by which at some time suddenly excited, and 
getting away, the imprer-sion of fear became 
so strong, that the object became ever after- 
wards a cause of the greatest terror. Once run- 
ning away, and kicking, breaking the hitching 
strap, or in any way resisting control success- 
fully, leads to the habit becoming fixed. 

It is the brain l^y which the animal under- 
stands and is animated, and it is the effects 
produced directly or indirectly upon the brain, 
by rousing the fears or passions, that excites 
the resistance; and the object of course must 
be to weaken and neutralize the effect by 
addressing and winning the action of the mind 
in the opposite direction. 

M'lilpping' l>aii^«rouH. 

Though at the risk of making tliis paper too 
long, I would call attention to another point 
worthy of consideration. Namely, that of ex- 
citing th<i ill will of the animal. Many suppose 
they are doing finely, and are proud of their 
success by severe whipping, or othervv^ise rous- 
ing and stimul^iting the passions. No mistake 
can be greater and there is not anything 
that so well illustrates the genius and deli- 
cacy of the real horseman, more clearly than 
the care displayed in winning instead of 
repelling the action of the mind. If a child 
is whipped and scolded, and left feeling ex- 
cited and mad, there is an involuntary feel- 
ing of hate insj|2^^'^^^ against the parent, 



iS 

though the object of the reproof was intended 
for the good of the chihl — still the effect is 
depraving, because the passions only are ex- 
cited. If after the reproof, the parent had 
taken a seat b}^ the child, and appealed to the 
reason and aiVections, by assuring that it was 
a cause of the greatest regret and pain to him 
to be compelled to resort to reproof, that it was 
intended for good — and thus by a little care 
and attention tlie contrition of the heart, would 
be excited by a proof of kindness, and the effect 
would be to win the child from disobedience. 
The principle is precisely the same with horses, 
and it must not be disregarded in the manage- 
ment of sensitive courageous horses only at 
the hazard of spoiling them. The better to 
explain the force of this principle, I will illus- 
trate by referring to a case of recent occurence. 
I bought a fine Gifford-Morgan horse, (eight 
years old, a stallion,) early in the summer of 
'GG, to train to drive without reins. The horse 
was naturally mild and intelligent, but pos- 
sessed much latent energy. He would obey 
every command in driving and handling, with 
the most genuine pleasure and promptness of 
any horse I ever saw, and was as innocent in his 
action as a pet dog. Whip training is. terribly 
severe, and it is impossible to make a horse 
reliable until absolute submission can be forced 
by it, which of course requires a severe use of 
the whip ; and it has to be used with great 
care and judgment, in order to make the horse 
understand every motion of it, yet not be 
afraid of it. It was w^ith the utmost reluctance 
that I commenced training the animal. My 
sympathies were most keenly touched for sub- 
jecting him to the severity of the whip, yet I 



19 

could not avoid it. I paid a large price for the 
horse, for this purpose, and it must be done. 
I made the horse a tine driver without affectinc; 
his temper in the least. My health failing I 
was compelled to sell the horse, with four 
others, all stallions also trained. The purchaser 
of this horse was considered a good careful 
man, but like the average of people he felt 
that he could handle or drive any horse by the 
simple or rude force of the whip. lie whipped 
the horse for putting his ears back as if to bite 
him. Seeing the owner soon after his doing 
so, Ij warned him not to do so again, and to 
at once enlist the horse's contidence by giving 
apples, &c. This was disregarded. The whip- 
ping was repeated in a few days. As before, I 
strongly remonstrated, in the most positive 
terms, telling the man he would by a few repe- 
titions of such treatment, excite the enmit}^ of 
the animal so much that he could not do any 
thing with him. The result was as I predicted, 
that the^horse. became a perfect maniac within 
a week — so desperate that he would tear any 
one to pieces — one of the most desperate horses 
I ever saw. By a simple course of subjection 
I made him gentle in thirty minutes. I ordered 
a careful groom to take charge of him, gave 
the groom special directions, requiring each 
time he went to his stall to give him a present 
of an apple or something he liked. The horse 
remained gentle, but to this time, (two years 
after), '.the horse will not bear the presence of 
his owner, though gentle to others. 

I have known many horses of a perfectly 
gentle character to be spoiled by being whipped 
once, and one horse that was made vicious by 
being struck with the whip once in stall. Could 



20 

refer to verj^ many instances illustrative of the 
effects of pounding and whipping in this way. 
Indeed, so sensitive are some horses, (more 
generally mares,) that fi'om a remembrance of 
man's rudeness, they will pull excitedly when 
driven by a man, but are as gentle and mode- 
rate as most any old horse when driven by a 
woman. Woman being more gentle and never 
using the whip severely, their control does not 
excite the nervous sj'stem. Sensitive horses 
should not be left, after exciting their anger by 
whip or other means, until calmed down by 
rubbina' head and neck the way the hair lies,* 
and giving apples, sugar, or something of which 
the animal is fond. The whip must be used 
with care, since it is only a means of reproof. 
Rudely and persistently used it is liable to 
irritate so much as to excite enmity and re- 
sistance. (See Driving.) 

Courag^e. 

Very many boast of not being afraid of any 
horse, &c. To a reall}^ experienced horseman 
such assertions show ignorance and inexpe- 
rience. Ver}^ many of the most lamentable 
accidents that occur with horses are the result 
of this imprudence. It is almost impossible to 
convince a man who has never been run away 
with, that a horse could run away with him 
while he held the reins, or that he cannot 
drive a kicker safely by any care that can be 
used ; and when such are run away with, or 
have a horse kick and get away, they declare 
and think they can drive and manage any horse 
but that one. A horse of course that has 
learned to resist the bit successfully, cannot be 



21 

held by the reins if excited; at all events th^ 
control is too limited and donbtfnl to be haz- 
arded. I have found many hundreds of horses 
that could not be driven, and would run away 
regardless of the most severe bits, though 
pulled upon by sev^eral men. T will go farther 
by stating that I have seen many horses that 
would pull on a walk from two to four men by 
the reins, though tugging and pulling jjs they 
pleased. Of course it is the most senseless 
imprudence to ivy to drive and hold such 
horses, when there is almost certainty of being 
unable to resist restraint should the animal be- 
come excited. 

While it is highly important to appear 
fearless and confident when approaching and 
handling horses, it is not to be assumed a 
horse will not kick or bite because courage is 
shown. An Irishman, who supposed that a 
horse would not dare to injure him if he would 
stand still and show no fear, walked into the 
enclosure of a vicious stallion. The horse 
rushed upon him, bit and struck him down, 
and it was with the greatest difficulty that the 
man was rescued, but at the cost of a broken 
arm and leg, and serious internal injuries. I 
once had to jump for my life to get away from 
a mare. When I saw her rush for me, saw 
instantly that escape was my only alternative, 
and not having time to jump, sprang head 
foremost over the high enclosure. It was a 
trick to defeat me, as all ray would be pupils 
laughed, and to my surprise, for the first time 
saw that all were overhead, out of all possible 
danger. The animal, was of the most desper- 
ate and dangerous character. She would run 
at a man with all the ferocity of a dog, and 



22 

would liave bit and trampled mo under foot, 
eould she liave got to mc, yet in thirty minutes 
I made her perfectly gentle, and safe for me or 
any one to approach and handle. Courage and 
confidence should be in proportion to the dan- 
ger or safety shown. 

The horse always reveals his intentions by 
the actions of the ears and expression of the 
eye, as plainly as if expressed in words. The 
attention shouki be directed to the head for an 
understanding of the intentions. If danger is 
discernible, stand still. It will not do by the 
expression of the features, or the falter of the 
voice, to show that fear is felt. When a bad 
horse must be encountered, especially if a 
stallion, the eye must be kept on that of the 
horse, and the will must be inflexible. 

Adroitness and firmness in divertina: atten- 
tion, will hold some horses of a dangerous 
character in check, when the least expression 
of weakness would precipitate a calamity. 
Some horses, and especially stallions, can read 
the feelings as plainly as could a man, and any 
indication of fear would encourage them to 
resistance. ^Vhatever the feelings or sense of 
danger, there must not be any evidence of fear 
or danger exposed in the language or actions. 
There is a nameless acuteness of perception 
learned by long observation, that cannot be 
explained, but which enables one at a glance 
to see how far it is safe to approach and handle 
horses of a dangerous character. Indeed I 
cannot conceive of a duty or calling that re- 
quires more acuteness of perception, or firm- 
ness in directing and controlling the efforts. 

In studying the laws governing this inter- 
esting science of Equine Subjection and Edq- 



23 

cation, many striking truths are forced upon 
the mind. The wisdom displayed in adapting 
the different domestic animals for the wants 
and requirements of man^— the ease with which 
they can be subdued and controlled, when sub- 
jected to reasonable treatment, and the unerring 
warning of accountability for every act of impru- 
dence shown in their management, is singularly 
clear and positive, reminding that it is not 
only a duty, but economy, to correct the errors of 
imprudence and ignorance. This duty also 
appeals powerfully to the reason and all the 
higher faculties of the mind, thereby in its 
true sense, in every way, inspiring to a higher 
feeling of responsibility, and nobility of char- 
acter. 



The owner is at liberty if desired, to read the fore- 
going part to others, it not being in any way an infringement 
on the secresy imposed. 



M 



THE WILD COLT. 

It must be borne in mind that the resistance 
of the colt is induced bv fear and ignorance of 
what IS required, and if of a sensitive or posi- 
tive nature he will avoid and resist being 
handled and restrained, often with the most 
reckless tenacity ; that when much resistance 
is anticipated or evinced, the first thing to be 
accomplished is to overcome such sensibility 
and resistance sufficiently to warrant being 
safely handled, and as each step in the educa- 
tion is attempted there is sufficient control to 
ensure safety and certainty of control. To en- 
able such results, very often much prudence 
and no ordinary skill is essential, and the 
reader must bear in mind that this must be de- 
pendant upon the delicacy and prudence with 
which the efforts are adapted, in the practice of 
the Theory of Management taught. 

The first requisite is to have a good room or 
training yard, of about twenty-five by thirty or 
forty feet. See that possible causes of injury 
are removed, get the colt into this room or 
enclosure quietly ; if very wild, see that hens, 
chickens, etc., are driven out. Say to your 
friends, it is necessary to your success and a 
condition of your instruction to be alone. 

Your first object is to halter the colt. If not 
very wild, you can easily work up to the 
shoulders and head, and by scratching the 
mane, etc., slip the halter on the liead, But if 



"ZO 



the colt is wild, this may be difficult if not 
dangerous, and one of the most important 
requisites is to guard against injury either to 
yourself or horse, and at the same time accom- 
plish your end most easily and surely. 

Take an edging or pole ten or twelve feet 
long, more or less, as you may happen to find, 
or danger may require. Whittle up a few- 
strong chips with your knife, about an inch or 
two from the end, towards the center, and about 
seven or eight inches from this whittle up a 
few more chips from the opposite direction, or 
you can drive a couple of nails into the stick 
about the same distance apart, the heads bent 
a little outward from each other. Take a com- 
mon rope halter with a running noose, pull the 
part that slips through the noose back about 
two feet. ]Now hang the part that goes over 
the head upon the chips or nails on the end of 
your pole nicely, with the hitching part held in 
your hand with the stick. Your halter is now 
so spread and hung upon the stick as to be 
easily put upon the head. If the colt is not 
excited he is easily attracted to the notice of 
whatever is new to him. He has no way of 
examining objects but by his nose, so he is 
prompted to smell and feel of things that are 
new and strange to him. Consequently you 
will find upon reaching out the halter goiifcly, 
hung as above upon the end of your pole, he 
will reach out to smell and feel of it, and while 
he is gratifying his curiosity in this way, you 
can easily raise the stick high enough to bring 
the halter over and back of the ears, when by 
turning the stick half w^ay round, the halter 
will drop from it upon the head. This may 
frighten the colt a little and cause him to run 
2 



26 

from you, but by doing so, the slack of the 
part passing back of the jaw through the noose 
v/ill be pulled up, and the halter is on the head 
secu^el3^ 

Having your colt haltered, your object next 
is to teach him to submit to its restraint. 
Take position on a line with the shoulders, 
but at some distance, and give a sharp quick 
pull towards you, instantly giving loose on 
the halter. You have the greatest advantage 
from this position, and by adroitly following 
this advantage, not attempting to pull when 
there is an attempt to run back or from you, 
he will soon by a few sharp pulls in this 
way, learn to feel and submit to the force of 
your power. Should you pull slow and steady, 
he would learn to pull back upon you, and 
might throw himself down. This you will 
avoid by letting loose the instant after yon 
pull. When there is a disposition to yield to 
you, get on the opposite side and repeat the 
pnlling in the same manner, gradually alter- 
nating from side to side, until the colt will 
come around promptly. 

Avoid pulling ahead, until there is prompt 
submission to the restraint sideways. You can 
then gradually pull a little on a line with the 
body until the colt will follow readily. 

If the colt is of a quick, prompt disposition 
he will soon learn to submit to the restraint of 
the halter ; but if very young, or of a slow, 
sulky disposition, unaccustomed to restraint, 
great resistance is likely to be shown. If the 
resistance is determined and reckless in char- 
acter, resort at once to a thorough course of 
subjection, which will soon compel obedience. 
When there is submission, fix it by appealing 



27 



at once to the affections. Rab the head gently 
the way the hair lies, and scratch the mane 
and tail until all excitement and irritation sub- 
sides. The eye now becomes mild in expres- 
sion, and there is apparent indifference to being 
handled. A coarse voice forced into keen or 
exciting action, is wonderfull}' irritating, and 
mast by all means be held in check. Speak in 
a natural tone, softened by a kind expression. 
It is often necessary when the colt acts exci- 
table and reckless, to repeat the lesson of lead- 
ing two or three times. At all events the end 
of perfect success must be accomplished. 

wi ?/ ' 

Wl4 -Jy 




nitchinsr. 



After the colt will lead promptly, it is ad- 
visable to teach him to stand . hitched. To 
prevent the possibility of learning to pull on 
the halter, take a piece of plow" line or clothes 
line, sufficiently long when doubled to be a 
little shorter than the halter when hitched, tied 
in the following manner. Find the center, and 
put under the tail ; bring both ends forward 



28 

over the back, twisting them three or four 
times ; then do the same forward of the 
shoulders, pass them througli the ring of the 
halter, and tie to the manger, or post ; hitch 
in this way until there is no dit^position in the 
colt to pull loose. It is prudent to hitch in 
this way for two or three days, when the simple 
halter can be depended upon with safety. 

Teaching the colt to submit to the restraint 
of the bit is next in importance. 

Bitting-, 

Implies teaching the horse to submit the 
mouth to the restraint of the bit, and at the 
same time give the neck and head as great an 
elevation as the form and temper will bear. 
Whenever the reins are pulled upon, if this is 
imperfectly done, the horse may acquire habits 
of resistance to the control of the reins, as 
exhibited bj' pulling too hard on the bit, pull- 
ing on one rein, will not back, etc. 

To accomplish this end most easily and per- 
fectly, implies a restraint that would be both 
flexible and positive. If the bitting is limited 
to the restraint of a check, there being only 
simple dead pressure upon the mouth, if 
checked up at first tightly and too long, the 
horse may learn the habit of resting the head 
upon the bit to relieve the weariness of re- 
straint, wdiich would possibly teach the horse 
to work into some one of the common habits 
of resistance to the control of the bit. 

To do this in a simple practical manner, 
woukl seem to have been a great puzzle to 
even skillful observant horsemen ; yet nothing 
pan be more simple or easily done. 



29 

The first thing to be done is to accustom the 
mouth to the bit. To do this, put on the colt 
a common bridle, with a smooth snaffle bit. 
Omit reins. Allow him to go as he pleases, in 
a yard or stable, for a half an hour or more, 
which may be repeated if thought necessary. 
Next put on circingle and reins. At first let 
the reins be buckled so long as to bring but 
little restraint upon the mouth. After being on 
thirty or forty minutes, remove. At each repe- 
tition buckle the reins shorter, until the head 
is brought up as high as the form and temper 
will bear. It seems needless to include details 
of form, &c., of bitting harness. Any simple 
arrangement of the kind will do, and the ar- 
rangement is so well understood that an at- 
tempt to give form and proportion, would not 
only be unnecessary, but w^ould not be heeded. 

The object being to bring restraint upon the 
bit that will hold the head up and back most 
naturally and easily, without freedom in any 
direction but in that of the reins. In one 
respect should great care be used. Namely, in 
having the throat-latch so loose as not to possi- 
bly press on the throat when checked high, 
and that the gag runners are well up near the 
ears. 

If the reins are buckled short at first, there 
is an unnatural violence of pressure and re- 
straint upon the head, that may exite so posi- 
tive a resistance as to cause the colt to rear up 
and fall over backwards, which would almost 
be certain to produce death. Again, if checked 
up too long the restraint becomes so tiresome 
as to induce a disposition of leaning or rest- 
ing the head on the bit, which would very often 
teach the habit of lugging down upon the bit, 



when pulled upon by the reins. If however, 
the colt should light the restraint of the bit or 
check, leave it on until the fit exhausts itself, 
and there is a disposition to submit to its 
restraint. 

The bitting bridle should not be left on very 
long at a time. Short at lirst and gradually 
longer as the mouth becomes accustomed to 
and hardened by the bit. Simply subjecting 
the mouth to a course of checking in this way, 
which is only dead pressure, neither teaches 
submission to the restraint of the bit, or gives 
the idea of submitting the head up and back 
when pulled upon by the reins, only in a very 
indirect manner. Hence, the disposition devel- 
oped in many horses of lugging against the bit, 
or throwing the head down on the breast, pull- 
ing sideways, throwing the head forward, &c., 
some one of which peculiarities, of resistance 
is developed to a greater or less degree on 
account of this rude imperfect bitting. All 
this trouble I easily overcame by the following 
treatment. 

After the usual course of bitting as under- 
stood, take a piece of cord about eight or ten 
feet in length, of the common sash or clothes 
line size, but of as strong and llexible a texture 
as possible. Tie one end into a large, hard 
knot by forming a tie and putting the end 
through twice and draw up hard. Make 
another tie about twenty inches from this knot. 
Bring the knot end of the cord over the neck 
and pull the knot through the tie, regulating 
the size so that it will just tit the neck forward 
of the shoulders. Pass the other end of the 
cord through both rings of the bit, back of the 
jaw, and pass it back through the loop around 



31 

the neck, imd dvaw down the nliick. Stand iu 
front of the 'lieiid, holding the cord tightly 
with both hands, giving a short ([uick pull 
downwards, which will jerk the head back and 
up. Kepeat tliis little downward [uill until tlie 
head is given up and back freely when pulled 
upon even slightly. Now, when the reins are 
attached to the bit, when pulled upon, the 
restraint is precisely as before, and the head is 
submitted freely to their restraint. 

The harness may now be put on, and the 
next step should be to drive the colt around 
until he can be guided right and left, and 
stopped at will. There must be no effort to 
make the colt back until he learns to drive well 
to wagon, when the lesson of backing should 
be tau2:ht. If the colt is made to back before 
learning to drive, there is danger of the habit 
being acquired of running back when confused. 

If the colt is sensitive and it is desired to be 
thorough, after bitting put on the harness care- 
fully. Tie up the tugs and let the colt stand 
or run about the yard for thirty or forty min- 
utes. Now put on reins and gradually teach 
him to go ahead, and be controlled to the right 
or left, or to stop, as you please, by the restraint 
of the bit. Too much should not be expected 
of the colt at the commencement of this lesson. 
First gradually urge him ahead by touching 
the whip lightly over the hips, and as he moves 
turn him to the right and left, until he will 
move promptly, and turn in any direction freely 
to the control of the reins. Would then teach 
him to stop and start at will, by urging him 
ahead by a touch of the whip, and stopping 
him by pulling on the reins, being careful to 
say ''get up," and 'Mvhoa," as each require- 



32 

moiit of g"oini>' alioad or sto])piiiiX is made, 
until the eolt leariirt to submit implioitly to 
tho control of the reins, and is quite handy to 
drive in this way. l^his may require several 
lessons of half or three (|uartors oi" an hour 
each. 

Hi Idling <o 1Vii;,?ou. 

If it is desired to drive the (.olt siniifle, a 
sulky is to be preferred at iirst. Tho shafts 
should bo bo rattled and tho colt, niade to see it 
and hear it on every side. Then bring the 
shafts over him gently, hold the bit by the left 
hand firmly, with the right draw up the wagon 
figainst the hind parts. If there is n>uch fear 
manifested, jerk upon the bit sharply. As 
there is submission bring tho shafts against the 
horse with more force. When there is perfect 
submission, attach the harness. Let him move 
off 6h)wly, almost as ho pleasesj on a straight 
line. Then gradually as he will bear, learn 
him to go to the right and left, to the control 
of tlie reins. Great care should bo taken not 
to drive the colt too much at first, and at no 
time to the extreme of exhaustion. Is^'eithcr 
sliould the strength of the colt be taxed much 
at tirst by driving u}^ and down hill. Let him 
move on a level road until accustomed to the 
noise and restraint of the wagon. Tt must be 
remembered, that the colt cannot become 
handy and able to stand the fatigue of much 
driving without time and patience. Let his 
drives be moderate, both in gait and distance 
at first. AbiHitamile or two on a walk at Iirst, 
gradually increasing the distance to as much 
as he will bear without fatigue. After learning 
to go nicel}' on a walk, let him trot a little. 



gradually letting him out faster and a little 
longer, im nice smooth pieces of road give 
opportunity, but would be very particular to 
confine these little bursts of speed at lirst to 
the limits of a few rods, aiid never to the 
extent of exhaustion. Let him dash out a 
short distance, then gradually pull to a walk, 
and speak encouragingly, just as if talking to a 
boy. After a while let him out again, perhaps 
pushing a trille faster and longer, but not to 
tlie extreme of tjreaking over. Do not by any 
means expect that you iiave a trotter because, 
perhaps, your colt is a good mover, and if a 
good stepper it should be additional reason for 
prudence. There is usually too much anxiety 
to try a colt's speed and bottom. lie is pushed, 
overdone and spoiled, perhaps before he knows 
how to trot, or is grown to his full strength. 

A colt must not be pushed too much in 
educating to harness. It is evident that he 
cannot learn to submit quietly to the irritation 
and excitement of harness and wagon, or drive 
placidly like an old horse. Kather let him 
grow into doing all this easily and naturally, 
being careful in the first place to overcome all 
fear of things touching or striking against the 
hind parts of the body. This lesson of over- 
coming fears of such causes, should be very 
thorough, and as each progressive step is 
attempted, see that that object is always attained 
and the driving will be a trifling task, though 
of course requiring patience and care. 

Doable DrivliiK* 

It is generally the custom to drive the colt 
at first in harness by the side of a gentle horse 
2* 



34 

accustomed to harness. When this is designed, 
the colt should be put on the off side, and to 
guard against danger, a short strap with a ring 
on it, should be put around the fore-foot below 
the fetlock. Fasten the end of a piece of rope 
or strap of about eight or ten feet long to the 
ring. Pass the other end over the belly-band 
of the harness to the wagon. The strap is to 
be held with the reins to insure the utmost 
control, should the colt become frightened and 
attempt to break away or kick. The whip 
should be held over the old horse, to keep him 
up to the movements of the colt in starting, 
but the gait should be kept moderate. 

In breaking the colt to drive double, after 
driving well on the off side, he should be 
reversed to the near side, there being less 
danger of becoming frightened from getting 
into or out of the wagon, or of seeing things 
while being passed to or from the wagon, by 
being more from view on the off' side. To 
lessen the probabilities of fear and resistance, 
the off side is preferable at first. The limited 
understanding of the horse seems to require 
that the same impressions and understanding 
should be given of the character and appear- 
ance of things forced to liis attention on both 
sides. If not, when driven alone, or on the 
near side, he may become suddenly frightened 
by the moving of a robe, umbrella, the rustling 
of a lady's dress, etc., from that side. (See 
Causes of Fear.) 

Let the driving be moderate, and the loading 
not heavy, and by all means if the colt is of 
a sensitive or nervous temperament, the great- 
est mildness must be observed. Loud ** yelling" 
or cracking of whip should not be permitted. 



35 



A little imprudence of this kind is often the 
cause of very serious mischief with inexpe- 
rienced young horses. 

Backing'. 

After learning to drive well, teach the idea of 
backing by pulling on the reins steadily, say- 
ing "back." If there is resistance give a short 
raking pull, which will move the colt by the 
pain and force of the bit backward, repeating 
until there is prompt obedience. If there is 
much resistance put on breaking bit, which 
will soon enable submission. 




Ridings, 

If the colt is not of a very bad character 
there will be no resistance to being rode after 
the first lesson of subjection. If there is, 
attach a short strap to a piece of rope to the oft* 
fore foot, throwing the other end over the 
back. Take a short hold of this strap with 
the right hand, while the left grasps the near 
rein of the bridle firmly. As the head is pulled 
around, the horse is made to step sideways, and 
the instant the foot is relaxed it is held up by 



o 



e 



the restraint of the right hand on the strap, 
which is instantly drawn upon. The colt is 
now on three legs and unable to resist. Jump 
lightly on the back, press the feet against the 
belly and Hanks. As there is submission 
given the foot, take a firm hold of the reins, 
which should be held short. Move the colt 
forward, and as there is an indication of resist- 
ance pull upon the strap and reins, which will 
disable and disconcert the horse from farther 
effort to resist beino; rode. It' the colt will not 
move forward, request an assistant to lead 
him by the head for a short time. So long as 
there is any indication of resistance keep on 
the strap. One thorough lesson is usually 
sufficient, though some colts may require a 
repetition of the lesson. 

When it is desired to mount, let the left hand 
rest lightly on the mane a little forward of the 
withers, holding the reins between the thumb 
and fingers. Throw the right hand lightly on 
the back, the body close to the horse. Now 
spring lightly upward and forward. The in- 
stant of doing so, let the right hand glide 
forward until the elbow strikes the back bone, 
when the weight of the body is to be instantly 
balanced upon the right arm, which will enable 
sufficient strength to make the spring con- 
tinuous, and the body is easily brought into a 
sitting posture. This is a slight undertaking, 
and a little practice will enable ijbility to mount 
the highest of horses with apparently wonderful 
ease. To mount on a saddle, stand by the side 
a little back of the stirrup, the face exactly 
towards the horse's head. Take a short hold 
of the reins between the fingers, grasping into 
the mane at the same time, put the left foot 



SI 

into the stirrnp, throw the right liaiid over the 
saddle aud press it against the oft' side, throw- 
ing the weight of the body on the left foot, 
and you can lift yourself into the saddle easily. 

Handling' the Feet. 

If the colt is of an ordinary good disposition 
this can be done without resorting to any 
means. Stand well up to the shoulder, put the 
left hand on the shoulder, (scapula.) Press 
forward gently, which will relax the muscles 
controlling the leg, with the right instantly 
grasp the foot below the fetlock and lift it up, 
removing the left hand and bring under the 
foot to aid the right hand or wholly' liberat- 
ing the right hand. To handle the hind feet, 
let the right hand glide gently from the 
shoulders back to the hip. At the instant it 
passes the point of the hip bring the left for- 
ward upon the hip. While doing this the right 
hand is being glided down the leg gently, until 
it strikes the fetlock, when the left hand is 
pressed firmly against the body at the point 
stated, which will relax the limb as before, and 
the foot is easily brought up by the right. At 
the instant of raising with the right, the left is 
lowered and passed down the limb on the back 
part of the fetlock. Or the foot can be raised^ 
and lowered a few times with the right hand, 
while the left balances the body by pressing 
against the hip until there is perfect submission. 

If there is resistance take up the fore-foot, 
request an assistant to hold it up for 3'ou while 
he at the same time holds the colt by the 
halter or bridle. Tie the end of a rope or strap 
around the hind foot above the fetlock, at the 



38 



instant of doing which let the hand glide along 
to the opposite part until six or eight feet from 
the foot. At the same time request the forward 
foot to be let loose, the assistant holding by the 
halter, ^ow pull upon the strap, which will 
bring the foot forward, and at the instant of 
attempting to kick let go, and so repeat until 
the foot is submitted to the restraint of strap. 
Then slip behind and pull the foot back, and as 
before, yielding at each effort to kick, let go, 
until the foot is submitted freely. Now take 
the foot from the control of the strap to the 
hand and handle gently. 

If there is very determined resistance, tie 
the end of your long strap around the neck, 
near the shoulders, pass the other end back 
between the fore legs, around the hind foot, 
but under the strap around the neck and draw 
up on it, at the same time holding him by the 
bridle or halter. The colt may be frightened 
and jump to get clear of the restraint. Should 
he act ver}^ much frightened, slack up on the 
strap until the foot is almost back to its natural 
position. Then as he will bear, again pull a 
little shorter, at the same time pulling him 
round in a circle by the head, until he ceases 
struggling to get the foot loose. You may now 
pull the foot farther forward, and hold it as 
before, until he will stand quietl3^ JSTow step 
back a little and pass the hand down the hind 
leg. Slap the hand upon the leg a little until 
there is no resistance, then take it in the hands. 
If there is no resistance, undo the end of the 
strap and allow the foot a little more freedom ; 
at the same time while holdins; the foot bv the 
strap, pass the hand from the hip down the leg 
quietly, rubbing and caressing until able to 
take it in the hands. 



39 

Handle the opposite legs in tbe same man- 
ner until there is perfect submission. There is 
a natural tendency to do nothing more as soon 
as the feet can be handled, and if there is 
trouble to shoe afterwards it is not assigned to 
the real cause. It must be borne in mind, that 
in all cases to insure perfect submission, the 
feet should be repeatedly handled, in the stable 
or wherever kept, until there is no fear or 
resistance manifested. This end may not 
always be accomplished by handling once. 
The character of the colt is sometimes so 
sensitive and positive that as much depends 
upon handling a few times gently after forcing 
submission, as in the treatment that may be 
necessary at first. 

Fear, 

Directly or indirectly, is the principal cause of 
danger and resistance in horses, and to success- 
fully educate young horses requires that there 
should be perpetual precaution in preventing 
such excitement from any cause as would 
induce fear of any object or sound. The horse'is 
mind or nervous system is so liable to be 
thrown out of balance by sudden causes of great 
fear, that very much of their successful man- 
agement must be dependent upon the tact 
or prudence of preventing such consequences. 
One of the most remarkable features of this 
peculiarity too, is the persistence there is in 
resisting the object or cause exciting a feeling 
of danger. Thus a robe, umbrella, or other 
object once exciting an apprehension of danger 
is likely to become a cause of the greatest terror. 
When there is the least anticipation of an exci- 



40 

table iTnagination, tlie utmost sense of control 
should be iixed upon the understand! ng, so as 
to lessen such a disposition, and be at the same 
time able to force obedience to the extreme 
necessary. The great difliculy in the man- 
agement of horses predisposed to sensitiveness, 
or those becoming afraid of some object or 
causes with which their use requires contact is 
want of suflicient power- to coerce. I would 
not imply that gentleness is not an important 
essential ; but that it must be to the mind of 
the horse the actuating motive, while the fear 
of resistance must be so fixed upon the mind 
that the disposition to resist restraint is neu- 
tralized. This is the point to make first if 
possible, (which is seen to be now easily done.) 
Then gently and carefully bring to the under- 
standing a clear conviction of the harmless 
character of the object or sound, whatever it is. 
If the colt is wild and sensitive, the first step 
to be taken is to subject him to a course of 
subjection. If the habit is established, if very 
bad, it becomes an absolute necessity to do so. 

There is in some colts a natural predispo- 
sition to extreme sensibility and fear of the 
most ordinary causes of irritation. A small 
brain, indicated by a narrow forehead, or a 
clear open restless eye, indicates such predis- 
position. 

But we see too that colts of the very best 
disposition are easily spoiled by ignorant im- 
prudent treatment. 

It is very remarkable too that many colts of 
the most sensitive and excitable character, by 
one or two lessons of careful thorough treat- 
ment, become as gentle and obedient as old 
gentle horses. I could refer to very manj^ 
interesting proofs of this. One of the most 



41 

marked in my recent experience, (Oct. 1868,) 
to wlijch I will refer, was a six year old horse 
owned by A. Smawley, of Petrolenm Centre, 
Pa. This horse was of 80 remarkably wild 
and desperate a character that he was known 
by the name of "Wild Pete." He would 
scringe and jump at the least touch or appear- 
ance of anythin<^ strange ; he would not stand 
to be cleaned, could not be harnessed, and to 
attempt putting him in shafts would excite 
the utmost desperation, jumping, and kicking 
clear of restraint at all hazards. lie was one 
of the most desperate acting horses of the kind 
I ever saw. Indeedj anything touching him 
behind, even a touch of a whip, would make 
him jump and kick regardless of consequences. 
Yet, after subjecting him to two or three 
energetic lessons, of less than an hour each, I 
could drive him to my buggy with perfect 
safety, and could not be made to kick or resist 
control. So perfectly docile did he become, 
that he was let for driving in the livery, and 
has proved a very superior, safe carriage horse. 
As a rule however, constitutionally timid liorses 
yield slowly, and require careful as well as 
thorough treatment. 

Colts of the gentlest and apparently most 
fearless disposition, are otten made so nervous 
and excitable by being once greatly frightened 
in some way, as to become of the most nervous 
dangerous character, or is insane just so far as 
tlie cause and position of the excitement in the 
iirst place. This is illustrated b^^ the number 
of otherwise gentle young horses that are 
frightened at some particular object, or cannot 
be driven in harness. When the cause is traced 
out it will be found in every instance to have 
been the result of being frightened or excited 



i'roni souio caiiso. iSoiuoiiiuos the most trifling 
CJIUSC8 will (lerani^'c the horse in this way* 
Even the accidental moving ot a piece of white 
paper will so'inotiuios so excite a previously 
docile colt, as to bo al'terwardH in conscqnence 
a ilighty, unreliable animal, always on the alert 
to jump, and possibly kick at the least appear- 
ance of such an object. Incidents of this kind 
are common to the observation of every one in 
the least observant of the peculiarities of 
equine nature. Now unless the colt is made 
perfectly obedient and docile, to bear handling 
and the restraint of harness, and the rattle 
of the wagon, this being suddenly frightened 
at some imaginary or trilling cause, is at 
any moment possible. The lirst object of the 
etforts, should be to see that every step of 
progress is made so thoroughly as to preclude 
sucii a possibility, which can be easily done by 
making the colt familiar and submissive to the 
restraint of the bit, and fearless of the contact 
and rattle of the wagon, kc, before hitching. 

The groat ditliculty with most people is, tliey 
are too harsh and precipitate. They under- 
take to do, and require more than they have 
power to enforce, or than the horse is able to 
understand. 

In educating the colt, the rule should be to 
do and roipiirc only so much as he will bear 
and understand, by commencing slowly, and 
gently repeating, and'following up one advan- 
tage after a lothcr, to the end of inspiring 
enti'.'e disre^rard oi' the causes of excitement. 
The horse's principal sense of understanding is 
by seeing and feeling with the nose. This is 
his moans (^f examining things new and strange 
to him. If in approaching the colt you were 
to reach out the hand gently, he would Hinoll 



and foel of it witli \i\h ikjhg. Every other 
means of iinderrttandinf^ seorns to be Hiiboivlinatc 
to tliis, consequently in handling the colt we 
fihould always commence at the nose, then 
jt^radually work back as there \h HnhmiHwion. 
The same care should be taken to overcome 
fear of being handled about the feet, etc. 
Commence at an insensible part and w^ork to 
the sensitve. Tn educating to harness, tlie 
same prudence should be exercised by bringing 
the object to the nose, or leading the horse up 
to the object and allowing him to feel and 
examine it in his own way. 

Wo must be satisfied with our ability to 
guard against and overcome these difficulties 
of fear as we can, or as circumstances and 
opportunity will offer. The great point of 
success is in guarding the horse from being 
roused to a great sense of danger from any 
cause, and gradually as he will bear, force the 
mind to an understanding of the innocent 
character of the object or cause of excitement. 
Familiarity with any kind of danger limits the 
sensibilities, and this should be the primary 
object of the efforts to do, after insuring the 
greatest control possible over the animal. The 
better to convey an understanding of my 
meaning I will give the details to overcome 
fear of the most common objects usually 
objectionable to horses, which will indicate the 
treatment for anything else not specified. 

A Robe. 

While held under careful restraint, let the 
robe bo brought up gently to the colt's nose. 
After smelling and feeling of it in his own way 
until satisfied, rub it gently againwt the head, 



44 

neck and body the way the hair lies, as he will 
bear. Then stand off a little and throw it 
across the back, over the neck and head, grad- 
ually stepping farther, until you can throw the 
robe upon him as you please. 

An ITiitbrcIIa ov Parasol. 

While holding the colt by the halter or bri- 
dle, as may be necessary, bring the umbrella 
to his nose gently, rub it against the head, 
neck and body, and as he will bear, spreading 
it a little, repeating the process of rubbing, 
and BO continue gaining little by little, until 
you can raise the umbrella over the head, and 
pass it around the animal as you please, without 
exciting resistance. 

Sound of a Gun. 

First, commence by snapping caps a short 
distance from the horse, gradually, as he will 
bear, approaching nearer, until 3^ou can snap 
caps while the gun is resting upon the back, 
over the head, etc. Then put in a little powder, 
and at each repetition increase the charge until 
you can lire off* a heavy load without exciting 
fear. 

Railroad Cars. 

Let the animal see them at rest, then grad- 
ually lead or drive him up to them, even to 
smelling them with his nose. ^JTow, as you 
have an opportunity, drive the horse around 
while they are moving, working up nearer as 
you can, and at the same time turning him 



45 

around so that he can see and hear them from 
diflerent directions. This lesson shouhl be 
often repeated, being careful not to crowd be- 
yond what the colt will easily bear, until they 
cease to attract his serious attention. 



ObJectN Kxcltinjs' Fear Whilo Hiding;' or I>rivlng:. 

Should the horse show fear of a stone or 
stump, or anything of the kind, he will natu- 
rally stop instantly and stare at the object in the 
most excited manner. Should the cause of fear 
be great and sudden, he may attempt to turn 
round and run away. This is to be guarded 
against, by sitting well forward on the seat, 
and taking a short hold of the reins, at the 
same time speaking calmly and encouragingly 
to the horse. Bear in mind, the horse has a 
great advantage over 3'ou, that his excitement 
is liable to precipitate his whole strength against 
you at the least sense of freedom, or additional 
cause of excitement; that once resisting in this 
position, he will try to do so again at all haz- 
ards, under like circumstances. 

Speak encouragingly to the horse, but keep 
a close watch upon his actions. In a short 
time the tension of his alarm will not only be 
perceptibly relieved, but he will become calmer 
and almost disregard the object. Then 
drive nearer as he will bear, exercising the 
same patience and care. At each effort to get 
nearer, the horse will become apparently as 
much frightened as at lirst. t>ut keep pushing 
a little at a time in this way, as the horse will 
bear, until you can drive up to the object or by 
it, and you not only leave no bad impression 



4r) 

upon the iiiind, but i^ratiually overcome the 
disposition to become iVightoned. 

Sometimes a horse will dislike a wheelbarrow, 
baby wa<2^on, turkeys, etc., but the treatment is 
the same. When the excitement is not so great 
as to endanger successful resistance, and the 
liorse is disposed ''phiy off or soldier," it may 
be advisable to ap])ly the whip a little sharply, 
but this is to be avoided when it is seen the 
resistance is wholly induced by fear, and the 
animal is not lazy. 

Some horses while driven to carriages, will 
not bear the noise and excitement of other 
horses being driven up behind. This is princi- 
pally on account of the horse's inability to see 
and understand the cause of the excitement, or 
it may be owing to the fault of the driver. 
Some one drives np rapidlj- behind, perhaps 
wishes to "go by," to prevent which the colt 
is hallooed at and whipped up to prevent such 
a result. This ma}' be repeated a few times, 
and the consequence is, if a spirited horse, the 
habit is acquired of rushing ahead to avoid the 
punishment expected under such circumstances, 
and very often too a horse is forced into this 
habit by being run into from behind. 

KliiidorM. 

It must be rememberd that the blinders in 
general use so cover up the eyes as to make it 
impossible to see things plainly sidewwise, and 
wholly so from l^hind, must tend to this result, 
and certainly we are convinced of this, when 
we see that to overcome the animal's fear of 
any object, the first and most obvious point is 
to induce an understanding of its appearance 



47 

and cljaracter. BliiulerB are admirisible only 
when there is a desire to conceal the defects of 
a large head, and to cause a naturally hizy 
horse to drive steadily, by [)reventing his ability 
to see when the whip is about to be api)lied. 

Mnst Keo tU<i Object from Diflc-roiit PomjUoiim. 

It is one of the peculiarities of the horse to 
understand and be reconciled to an object or 
cause of excitement only from the position and 
circumstances brought to his notice. This 
.seems to be on account of tlie horse's reason- 
ing powers being so limited, as to be unable to 
retain the same understanding of the ol)jcct 
beyond the position from which it is brought 
to notice. 

Every progressive change of position requir- 
ing almost the same care and patience of that 
preceding. For example, if in teaching a horse 
to become regardless of an umbrella, it were 
shown only from the near side, upon carrying 
it to the off side, would inspire nearly as rnuch 
fear as at first from the near side, or there may 
be an aversion to some particular object, or 
resistance may be inspired only under certain 
circumstances. You may succeed in getting a 
colt gentle to be rode from the near side, but 
upon attempting to do so from the off side, 
wouhl in all probability be resisted. A gentle 
horse upon being hitched to a top buggy for 
the first time, upon getting a glimpse oi the 
top over the blinders, became so alarmed as to 
defy all control, kicked clear of the carriage 
and ran away, was, as usual, gentle and fearless 
to an open buggy, but would not bear a top. 
A fine young stallion, perfectly regardless of 



4S 

a locomotive, and apparently of everytliing 
else, was so frightened by the sound and ap- 
pearance of an engine suddenly from behind, 
which was a position he never saw it from 
before, that he kicked himself clear of the 
wagon and got away, and would thereafter not 
only kick in harness upon hearing the least 
rattle or unusual sound, but would not bear a 
locomotive. The impulse of fear first induced 
by the engine prompted the kicking, which 
brought the feet in contact with the cross-piece 
of the shaft, which increased his terror, and 
associating thereby the wagon with the engine, 
its rattling nose became a cause of equal repug- 
nance as that of the engine or cars. 

A high-spirited but gentle mare was taken 
to a smith shop. The smith struck her sharply 
with his hammer two or three times, for not 
standing and submitting the foot to his satis- 
faction, which so frightened the mare that 
she would not bear any one having a leathern 
apron on to go near her, or allow her feet to 
be handled. Have frequently found instances 
of horses being gentle single, but vicious and 
unmanageable double ; and gentle double, but 
not single, etc. 

These peculiarities imply the necessity, as 
experience proves, of forcing an understanding 
of the object from every side, and in every 
manner it is usually seen in use. 

If, for instance, a horse is afraid of an um- 
brella while in harness, he may be taught to 
care nothing about it out of harness, but if not 
tauo;ht to feel and understand its character in 
harness would be apt to be as much frightened 
at it in that position, as if he knew nothing 
about it. 



49 

This seems to puzzle many well-meaning men, 
and is often the cause of much disappointment. 

A horse that is afraid of an umbrella, is 
brought forward to illustrate the management 
of such habits. In a short time the horse will 
bear the umbrella over and around him in any 
manner, without seeming to care anything about 
it. The owner is pleased with the belief that 
his h,orse is broken, when in harness at some 
future time, he raises an umbrella behind the 
animal, an4 is astonished to find him almost as 
bad as ever, and he naturally condemns the 
instructions as of no account, and indeed this 
would seem to be correct. But when it is seen 
in the first place that it is often necessary to 
repeat the treatment, that expecting the animal 
to be broken of tlie habit by a single 'ndirect 
lesson, only tends to defeat success. For 
without ability to control the horse, every 
attempt to force upon him the object of 
aversion, only inspires greater resistance, be- 
cause taught to a still greater degree to resist 
control, and a sense of freedom always tends to 
increase the animal's fear of the object. Now 
the efforts of the owner to control the horse 
directly in a position of so great disadvantage, 
may produce exactly this result, and then from 
an ignorance of the cause of failure, it is 
believed impossible to make the horse gentle. 

The lesson must be repeated so long as may 
be necessary to the end of perfect success, or 
the horse once excited is liable to drift ba^k to 
being almost as bad as at first. 

There is a very serious misconception of the 
theory of overcoming fear. The common be- 
lief is that a horse will not care about an 
object after he is once made to understand its 
3 



50 

harmless nature. This was the understanding 
taught by Rarey, and this is the idea prevalent 
among those who would be authority on the 
subject. If this were true, after a horse was 
once reconciled to an object of fear, and sub- 
mitted its presence over and around him, he 
would not care anything about it afterwards. 
But everyday experience proves this reasoning 
to be falkicious. In the iirst place we see that 
a horse that would not care an^^thing about an 
object or sound, after being worked hard, 
would be likely after a few days or weeks of 
idleness to be extremely excitable and dan- 
gerous. Now, according to such a theory, the 
horse after being once made to understand the 
innocent character of the object, he would care 
nothing more about it ; yet we see the horse 
does not prove reliable, and is npt in fact of 
the same character after a period of idleness. 

These facts must be kept in mind- The at- 
tention should always be on the alert to the 
degree there is discovered predisposition to 
excitement and i'eav. 

Safety Shafts. 

Get three scantlings or poles of good tough 
timber of about four inches in diameter, and 
fourteen feet in lenp'th each. Put down two 
of these, so as to bring them two feet apart at 
one end and thirteen at the other, i^ow lay 
the otfaer pole across on the ends of the others 
widest apart, about six inches from the ends. 
Mark and halve them together. Then bore a 
hole through both pieces at each corner so 
titted, and bolt thern iirmly together. To fix 
the other ends, get a piece of tire iron, four 



51 

feet long, and bend it in the form of a breast 
collar, the rounding side in, so as to have each 
end extend back on the inside of the poles ten 
or twelve inches, and iit up nicely to the wood; 
have two holes pnnced or dialled through each 
end of the iron, by which to bolt it firmly to 
the poles. Then drive staples into or near the 
ends. 

To finish the other ends, take two pieces of 
iron about a foot each in length and an inch in 
diameter, flat one end and punch through two 
holes. Work down the other ends to a sharp 
point; bend down the ends so sharpened about 
six inches, in the form of a half circle; bolt 
these irons under the ends of the poles, the 
sharp ends pointing down and back, forming 
dogs, something like those on the ends of sleigh 
runners, to prevent the sleigh running back. 
Now harness your horse into this arrangement, 
taking the precaution to wind the irons across 
the ends with an old piece of cloth, and 
strengthening the harness if at all likely to 
break, hy tying a piece of rope around with a 
piece of breeching, and around the body as 
may be thought necessary. Though perhaps, 
the best way to hold the shafts, as we call 
them, nicely up to the neck, is by bringing a 
strong rope or strap over the neck, and fasten- 
ing around the iron near the wood. This is a 
very good means by which to drive unmanage- 
able horses towards such causes of fear as cars, 
&c. Hitch the horse into the shafts, let the 
reins run back through the lugs. Get behind 
and drive around, touching up with the 
whip, as may be necessary. If the horse is 
valuable, and it is desired to take unusual pre- 
caution in overcoming fear of cars, or any 



62 

other greatly exciting caijge to drive up to or 
by, the shafts are gqocl. It is impossible for 
the horse to run baeV or sideways, or rear over 
back. Tlie horse is ahi)ost helpless so far as 
being able to run back or sideways. 

Riinnin^: Awny. 

This habit may be induced by q. great variety 
of causes — principally by becoming frightened 
in some way, though often by the hors^e learn- 
ing to pull against the bits so hard as to defy 
control, and is therefore at the least cause of 
irritation made to pull ahead and run away. 
When actuated by fear, the resistance is usually 
so sudden and violent as to force a degree of 
resistance to the restraint of the bit there is 
not power to prevent or control. Sometimes, 
too, the horse will spring sideways, or turn 
around in doing this, and will so learn the trick 
that at the least appearance of danger there is 
a jump for a run. All this resistance it is seen 
results from defective training of the mouth, 
and is virtually surmounted when able to force 
80 great a degree of control by the bit as to 
break up all disposition to resist restraint when 
excited. The use of the four rino^ bit will 

CD 

usually enable driving the horse safely. If the 
animal is of a bad character, put through a 
course of subjection, until the sense of fear is 
overcome — at the same time see that the con- 
trol of the mouth is made sufficiently positive 
to ensure certainty of restraint by the reins. 
Then hitch to wagon, making the horse stop 
repeatedly and promptly to the least restraint 
of the reins, until there is no disposition to 
resist when subjected to the greatest excite- 



5S 

ment. It is presumed the reader liiidei'standg 
this treatment sufRcieiitly to make an expla- 
nation of details needless. 

Turnings Around. 

If the horse turns around, drive first with 
harness, whip up sharply, then make stop, 
always pulling in the opposite direction from 
that the horse usually turns, until there is not 
only the most prompt obedience to the com- 
mands in going ahead, but the head is sub- 
mitted readily right or left, or stop, as may be 
required. Sometimes the habit is contracted 
of pulling so hard on the bit as to resist control. 
In this case all that is necessary to do is to 
train the mouth once or twice with breaking 
bit, or use four ring bit, and the habit will be 
broken up. If one rein is pulled upon, pull 
sharply on the opposite rein, and repeating at 
each indication of such a purpose, until the 
head is yielded freely and evenly. 

In reviewing the common causes of this 
habit, we see that two objects must govern the 
eftbrts. First: To overcome or neutralize the 
exciting cause of resistance, usually some cause 
of fear. Second: To make the mouth perfectly 
submissive to the most delicate restraint of the 
bit. It beinc: essential that the exciting cause 
should be removed, while the power to control 
resistance must be increased. 

I will in this connection add, that there is no 
part of the training of horses which should be 
done more thoroughly, or tested more carefully 
than this of teaching a proper submission of the 
mouth to the bit. Yet I will venture to assert 
llOne is more imperfectly or ignorantly at- 



64 

teuiptod, and that tlio more oxpiM'iencod and 
intollio'ont ol'horsenien should rci^'ard doiu^<^ this 
dinicnlt, when there ivS so nuioh to indieato to 
the most ordinary ohserver the method of doing 
it with easo and certainty, seems strans^e. And 
yet perhaps, tliis is not so strange, since this 
has been very iiuu'h of a ])nz/de to do easily, 
and really in its true aspect shows nuM'e true sci- 
ence than can be illusti*ated in any other feature 
of my treatment, since upon this must depend 
ultimately the readiness and success with which 
the liorse can be guided and controlled in 
harness. 

It is essential in training a horse well to the 
bit, that tlie idea is given ci)rrectly of submit- 
ting the head up and back when pulled upon. 
Second, that the horse should be made to uniler- 
stand exactly the meaning of every signal ot 
guidance and restraint. In training the mouth, 
the exact idea can be conveyed by being partic- 
ular in repeating the same idea of reproof, by 
pulling shar[)ly whenever there is an intention 
of pulling hard. There is soon not only 
prompt obedience to restraint of the bit, but 
there is no intention or conlidence to resist 
control. iS^ow, how can a horse understand the 
object of such restraint, if there is not unifor- 
mity of action and language. Yet most people 
talk with their horses in the most careless 
manner. If there is an intention of approach- 
ing a horse, the usual word is whoa. In driving 
when it is desired to make the horse go slow, 
whoa is the usual word, and the consiM|uenco 
is the animal does not kiu>w" what is meant by 
whoa. Kvery action and word should have a 
special meaning, and they should never conflict, 
that the understanding may not be confused. 



.5/) 

Whoji hIioiiIcI ])(\ an iniixinitivo comnuiiid to 
Htop. To i^o hIovvot iMUjuiros tlifi uh(; of Rorno 
other word. l^]v(;n ^^v(ivy iiiotinii of the whij> 
hIiouKI have n Hpocial ineariini^. If tlio horno ih 
injiija/z;e(l will) care in th'm way, he hecornofl 
alrnowt a nisudiine, that yiehlH KuhiniHHiou to the 
slightest toueli or word of e-orriiuand. 



KiiiililiijSp IKiick. 

To break iij) thin liahit, th(ire irnist he entah- 
lished a thoroni^h fear of tiie whip, ho as to 
in<]ii<!e goiniz; ahead when eonnnandcjd. J'lit 
on harnc.Hs, and tie the tugs into the I'ini^H of 
the hrei^ehinji,- ratlic!!' short. I)i-ive aronnd with 
the i*eins, ;.civin<^ a Fiharp ctit with a iz;ood l>ow 
whip around the Icu^h once in a whih;, if not 
prompt. Ah the liorHO learnn to Hprin;^ ahead 
vvh<'n eonnnaiKhHl, ]nill a, little on th(^ lines, 
gradually i-ei»oalini;, until he will [mil quite 
hard on the hit to go ahead. Make this aH 
thorough as [)OHHi])l('. In driving, r(!p(^at and 
(;arry out this, going ahead proni[)tly, vvhij>ping 
np Hharply once in a while if neec^Bsary. 

The main ]>oint to make with horseH of thi« 
eharaet(!r, in to er(^ate a thorougli tear of the 
whi[). To (h> this w(ill while diivinir witli har- 
nesH, whip around the liind legs sharply, until 
tlie horse will Hj»ring ahead )>rom[)tly when 
eommjinded. Now, atta(;h to wagon and 
gradually work up witJi whii> until th(ire is 
prom|)t ohedience. The foot strap may he put 
on if thei-e is a!iy [)OHsil)le (hanger of the liorsc 
running ha(;k when hitched. A much surer 
though more eom[)lieated way, is if) use the 
safety shafts. 



56 



KickinsT in Harness. 

This is apparently the most dangerons and 
difficult habit to overconie to which horses are 
subject; yet it is a habit that yields readily to 
my treatment, but requires care and thorough- 
ness, and a large share of common sense in 
determining how much must be done, and 
when to stop. This cannot be learned by any 
fixed rule, since there is such a great difference 
of extreme shown in this habit, that it ie not 
safe to venture a limit of what and how much 
must be done. I have often broken horses of 
kicking, of apparently the worst character, in 
twenty or thirty minutes. Then again, one 
scarcely confirmed in the habit m ly require very 
much more time, and a few extreme cases, of 
apparently a mild character when not excited, 
that would call out all niy resources for houi^s, 
to make the subject yield salx3ly to control. I 
broke a horse in Maine of the worst character, 
of kicking, by a few pulls upon the war bridle. 
At all events, the owner informed me months 
afterwards, that the animal remained perfectly 
docile. This horse would kick at any one or 
any thing. On the contrary, I found a horse 
in Mississippi, ]>erfectly gentle to ride or 
handle, would only kick when to wagon, yet 
was the most terribly persistent to kick when 
in harness, I ever saw, or ever expect to see. 
All ordinary treatment was only as play to this 
horse. Circumstances made it necessary to 
break up the habit, and I felt compelled to do 
so, and succeeded only after three lessons. 
Never did a horse resist more bravely, but I 
succeeded in making the animal so gentle as to 
submit the wagon against the heels going down 



57 



hill, and was driven by me a week after being 
broken, in tlie presence of a large concourse of 
people, proving safe and gentle afterwards. 

Breaking of kicking, as with most other 
habits, requires being thorough in what is 
attempted. If there is more fear than willful- 
ness, the fear must be thoroughly overcome. 
If based upon willfulness, that must be mast- 
ered at any hazard. In either case, put through 
a careful but thorough course of subjection, 
exciting resistance by rubbing a stick of some 
kind against and between the legs until there 
is no resistance ; now put on harness and break- 
ing bit, compel perfect submission to its re- 
straint. Let the hind legs be touched as before, 
and at each indication of resistance, punish 
sharply; with the reins back the animal against 
a rail fence or anything convenient. If there 
is perfect submission back into to the shafts of 
the wagon, or bring the shafts over the back 
gently. This is a step requiring much delicacy 
and firmness. Stand at the left shoulder, 
grasping the rein near the bit firmly, and as the 
shafts are brought forward, and the cross-piece 
comes in contact with the legs, if there is much 
sensibility shown, give him a sharp quick jerk 
upon the reins, which will at once disconcert 
the horse, and at the same time throw the head 
80 high as to make it difiicult for him to kick. 
Force this point well, until the contact of the 
wagon is borne, when the harness may be 
attached. IS'ow drive around gently, stopping 
and starting repeatedly, which will enable an 
understanding of what the horse will bear. If 
there is no indication of serious resistance, 
follow up by driving around, until there is 
perfect submission. At each repetition of be- 
3* 



58 

in^ hitched to a vvji^on tor a i'ow (lays, lot the 
horse bo backed against the cro88-pieco until it 
is borne. 

This precaution of tostinpj repeatedly is abso- 
lutely essential, to prevent and overcome any 
growitii;- sensibility or eontidence that would 
excite kicking', until there is not discovered 
any disposition to persist in the habit. 

If this will not do, repeat the lesson of sub- 
jection which the reader has been sliown, ani 
if there is any doubt about submitting to the 
shafts without danger of an accident, get two 
poles about twelve feet each in lengtli. Lay 
them down on the ground so that the snuill 
ends will be about twenty-two inches apart, 
and the large ends are six or seven foot apart. 
Next get a piece of pole of the same size, lay 
across and tie tirmly to the side poles just far 
enough Irom tlu^ forward ends so when the 
horse is hitched in, the tugs are tied to this 
eross-[)iece with pieces of cord. Hitch to this, 
dive around, repeatedly stopping and backing 
the horse against the cross-piece, until there is 
perfect submission. This driving in poles may 
be repeated if thought necessary, remembering 
tlmt it is absolutely necessary to make every 
step sure before the next is attempfed. 

A great advantage of repeating the lesson is, 
that the sensibility of the mouth is so greatly 
increased, that the most plucky horse will 
scarcely dare resist the bit after being punished 
severely a few times. U^ the horse yields, but 
is doubtful or appears touchy and sensitive 
once in a while, you may be able to make 
your point by putting on the foot strap, as 
directed under that head. 

It must be borne in mind that much depends 



59 

in making Huhjection thorough, as in the 
pe<iuliarity of treatment, that no matter how 
good or proper the treatment, the horsa 
must be made to yield unconditionally, or 
failure is not only probable, but almoRt certain. 
It" however, the horse will not yield to* this 
treatment, it will be necessary to resort to more 
complicated and slower treatment, by which to 
counteract resistance, with more severe reproof. 

Kicking Nir»pN. 

To do this, have made four straps, like com- 
mon hame straps. Two long enough to J^uckle 
around the hind legs above the gambrels; and 
two a little shorter, so as to be in proportion 
to buckle around just below the gambrel. The 
Htraps should be an inch and a quai'ter wide, 
good thi<;k leatlKir, aruil the buckles should be 
heavy. Now have made two J)'s just twi(;e as 
long as the straps are wide. This D should 
have the straight part a little rounding, and 
the corners not quite to a sharp pgint. Put a 
long and short strap on each J), atxd buckle 
thetn around the hind legs of the horse. The 
long strap above and the short one below the 
gambrel, bringing the I) in front of the leg. 
These we designate KiCKiN(i straps. 

J*ut a strong well-iitti ng rope halter on the 
head, tie a strong two incli ring on the end of 
the hitching part, which sliould be of a lerigth 
to extend between the fore-legs, over and just 
back of the belly band. Then take a piece of 
strong manilla rope, long enough to extend 
from the ring on the end of the halter back to 
each hind leg. I'ass the etid of this through 
the ring to the center, and tie each end care- 



60 

fnlly into the D's on the straps, the whole so 
arranged in leno:Lh that the hoi\^e can travel 
easily and natnrally. Now as soon as the horse 
kicks, the most severe pnnishment must result 
upon the nose. ]N'o quarter is to be given 
nntiT there is perfect submission. The harness 
may be put on after the horse ceases kicking", 
and drive around as before. These straps 
should be kept on until there is no disposition 
to kick. 

If the month is hard, use breaking bit and 
force as before, with the reins, until there is 
perfect submission. The horse is to be treated 
with the utmost kindness when he yields. 
Bear in mind this rale must not lie disrec/arded of 
addressing and winning the co-operation of the 
atfections as soon as there is submission. The 
foot strap may be used as a precaution when 
hitched to wagon, until submission is made 
sure. 

If the mouth is naturally sensitive and the 
horse is docile, but quick and irritable, a difier- 
ent policy must be adopted, as the horse may 
drive gently for hours or even days, and yet 
may kick at a real or fancied cause of annoy- 
ance. The previous treatment would not work 
well with such, as they soon become cautious by 
throwing the head down when there is such an 
intention, and there is not persistence enough 
to make reproof sutRciently positive to prevent 
the habit. 

The OVERDRAW CHECK will uow be just the 
thing. But care must be taken to apply it right, 
or there will bo cause for disappointment in its 
use. The object is now to simply^ disable the 
horse from his purpose at the least attempt to 
kick, which we can easily do, especially while 



61 



in single harness. Probably the beet way to do 
this, is as follows : 



z=^^- 




Get a small steel bit and hang it loosely above 
the driving bit in the bridle. Put the bridle on 
the head, now provide yourself with a fine, 
strong piece of hemp or cotton cord, about three- 
eighths of an inch in diameter and sixteen feet 
inlength. Cotton plow line is just the thing, 
or that kept at hardware stores for hanging 
windows, will do. Put the center of this cord 
back of the ears, run the ends back through the 
rings of the small bit and through the gag run- 
ners, which should be close up to the ears, (see 
cut). Pass them now through the ferrets and 
back through a ring which must be attached as 
far back upon the 'crouper as possible, and at- 
tach the ends to the shafts on each side of the 
hips. At first this check should be drawn short 
to bring the head as high as the horse can bear. 
The head is now not only high, but the least 
effort to kick must disable from such a purpose 
by drawing the check tighter, thereby disabling 



62 

the horse from his purpose. As there is less 
disposition manifested to kick, give more free- 
dom to the head. Wlien the animal proves 
safe, change and use the common check rein, at 
first rather short. A nicely rounded strap may 
be used instead of the cord. I would here add, 
that I am aware verv many will fail to break up 
the habit of kickinj^: if the horse is confident and 
persistent, for want of delicacy and firmness. 
Many of those who use horses, and who think 
too that they are good horsemen, as the term is, 
are so confoundedly ignorant, rude and wanting 
in energy to do anything more than half right, 
or do more than perhaps half what is necessary, 
that it is no cause for surprise that they would 
often fail. 

Look for the cause of resistance, second for 
the type of disposition, and try to make the 
treatment such a8 will prevent and overcome 
the habit i»n the most direct and positive man- 
ner, always striving to be cool and careful. 
Treat the horse kimily, even with marked proofs 
of iiff'ectioti, as soon as there is submission. 

Kickiiiji- While Unrnostsiiigr* 

Put on the war bridle (small loop), and work 
up with it sharply right and left a few times, 
then pull down tight, and tie into a lialf hitch. 
While hold'ing the cord in the left hand, step 
back and pass the hand from the shoulders to 
the hind parts gently. If this is borne, take the 
harness in the right hand and work it back 
gently over the back. As this is borne, untie 
the cord and tie down, so as to give the mouth 
a little more freedom. N(i)v go back and han- 
dle as before, being careful to be gentle ; if 



6S 

there ia resistance, punish sharply, tie down 
short a^ain, and put the harness on. When 
there is submission, untie, then work back as 
before ; at the least indication of resistance, 
tremble on the cord until the horse will bear 
the harness while free from restraint. 

Kfcktiti; Whtlo tiroominit:* 

Some horses are so thin-skinned, that they 
can scarcely bear a currycomb on the ilanks or 
legs, and when excited by rouGjh treatment and 
too severe use of the currycomb, are easily made 
vicious to handle or groom. Put on the war 
bridle, and after working up with it, hold 
tightly and with the left Jiand use the curry- 
comb on the back, gradually work to the sensi- 
tive part ; a^ there is submission give a little 
more freedom to the mouth, and work back 
lightly. If the horse seems unable to bear the 
currycomb, use the brush instead, and that, if 
necessary, lightly. Work lightly and indirectly 
to the sensitive part, at the same time speaking 
gently. It is almost impossible to overcome 
this habit if there is not gentleness. 

The currycomb is used too much by most 
grooms. A sharp toothed, brass currycomb 
must not he used on a thin-skinned horse ; use a 
brush. I should want a horse to kick a man 
out of the stall who would useacurrycomb with 
needless severity, or be otherwise needlessly 
harsh. 

Kicking- wlillo Ntioeing-. 

Some horses have a peculiar aversion to hav- 
ing their feet handled, and if once aroused to 
resistance, from any cause, are apt to become 



{)4 

pretty determined in their habit. If the foot is 
pulled awiiy when taken up, or the horse is 
excited and injured in some way while the foot 
is held, the fear of injury is produced and asso- 
ciated with the requirement, which by the usual 
pulling, hauling and kicking practices of the 
shop, makes the horse worse. The least inti- 
mation of ability to resist after being taken in 
hand, always inspires the horse to renewed con- 
fidence and resistance, and if there is not ability 
or perseverance enough to enforce perfect sub- 
mission, after trying to do so, the horse is only 
made more determined in the habit. As the 
object is to break up the habit, the energies 
must be concentrated as directly and forcibly as 
possible; until the horse is so disconcerted and 
shaken in the confidence of his powers of resist- 
ance, as to yield to restraint and submit the feet 
as required, when submission must be made 
permanent by patient, gentle treatment. If only 
a little irritable and resists being shod, put on 
the war bridle drawn tight, and tie in a half 
hitch. The foot can now be handled. Untie in 
a few minutes, and let the cord be pulled upon 
a little when disposed to resist, which will dis- 
tract the attention and cause submission. If the 
resistance is determined, take up the fore foot 
and have held by an assistant ; tie the end of 
the long web around the hind foot above the 
fetlock. This done, request the assistant to let 
go the foot and hold by the head, while standing 
opposite the shoulder pull upon the strap until 
the foot is brought well forward, giving loose 
the instant there is an effort to jerk or kick. 
Repeat pulling and letting go, until submitted 
freely. Now step directl}' behind and pull back, 
giving as before, until submissive; then bring 



(So 

the web over the back around acr6^>8 the breast, 
pulling short enough to bring the toot well for- 
ward ; pass the end back under the part over 
the back, and pull tight. 

Let the assistant now grasp tlie web, holding 
firmly as ever, with the left hand holding the 
head by the bridle. This brings tlie leg for- 
ward, when it can be handled at will. If this 
will not do, tie the end of the web or rope around 
the neck near tlie shoulders, in the form of a 
running noose ; pass the other end back between 
the fore legs, around the hind leg, below the 
fetlock and back through the loop, round the 
neck, drawing it through short enough to bring 
the foot well forward. Pass the end back under 
to i)revent sliding, and retain in the hand. The 
horse will now be very likely to struggle to get 
the foot loose. Should his resistance be so 
great as to endanger injury, you cart give loose 
on the end of the "strap. When the horse ceases 
trying to get the foot loose, rest the left hand 
upon the hip, with the right pull upon the foot 
forward and outward. If there is great resist- 
ance, pull around by the head, which will enable 
you to keep in such limits as you wish. When 
the struggle ceases, go back and handle as be- 
fore. Wiicn the foot is submitted to the hand, 
while held to the restraint of the strap, put the 
cord well back upon the neck, draw it down 
tightly, and tie it into a half hitch. Then pull 
upon the foot with the hand as before. If not 
resisted, untie the strap and take the foot in 
hand gently. Put it down and take it up, rub- 
bing and handling until there is entire submis- 
sion. Then carry it back with the right hand, 
keeping well forward out of danger, by resting 
the left hand upon the hip, and pulling and 



66 

yieldiiii^ to tlic foot until nuuuii^'oablc. Now 
[>ass (lie loft liand down tlio ins'nlo of the lc\i>', 
lako it from (lu^ rio'ht and carry it back i;vn(ly ; 
put it down and tako it u]) oncoor twioo. llani- 
nier upon it lii;*litly, ^!>radually iucroasino-, until 
the foot is submitted as required. Now untie 
the cord and tie it a little lon^'cr; go back an«l 
liaudle the foot as before. 11' submitted, untie 
the c(->rd, hohlinij; the end in the left hand, and 
handle as beiore. If there is an intimation of 
resistance, tremble on the cord, which will keep 
attention on the mouth, and remind of the pre- 
vious control until the foot is submitted without 
I'cstraint. Mana^-e the other hind foot in the 
same manner, if necoi^sary. The feet of such 
horses should l)e taken uj) ami |)ouiHled upon 
repeateilly in the -stable, until submission be- 
comes habitual. It must be borne in mind that 
the smith sho}) is no place to more than pre- 
vent resistance while slnn^ino', and it must be 
expected that a very bad horse of this character 
will not be made more than temporarily submis- 
sive by the ti-eatment usually necessary to enable 
liandlina: the feet to be shod. Indeed such ef- 
forts are well calculated to excite aversion to u 
shop ami being shod, and hence a horse of 
courage aiul sensibility is liable to l)e coniirmed 
in the resistance by such tem[>orary treatment. 
Let the horse be handled thorougldy at home, 
and if necessary put through a course of subjec- 
tion, handling the feet repeatedly until perfectly 
gentle. WMien taken to the shop, if necessary, 
simply remind that submission must be yielded 
and treat gently — caressing, and rubbing head 
and neck the way the hair lies. C>olts should 
viot be taken to a shop to be shod until thor- 
ouirhlv accustomed to havt^ the feet handled. 



67 



nnlkiuK'. 



ThiH hiil)it irt caused l)y coui'uBiii.^ iind ovcr- 
loiiding, ortryiiipj to force too iriiich by whipping 
when exhjiusl(!d, oi- when IJk; draught from Bonio 
cause heconicj^ too great Ibr tlie horse to manage, 
there])y excelling and discouraging the horse 
lK!tbre •a\)\o to settle down to a steady detei-niined 
pulh When a liorse, and es[)ecially a young 
one, becomes mad jind will not pull when com- 
manded, there sliould not Ix; a word or an action 
that would betray an understanding of the resis- 
tance. (Jhange position — take up time in some 
way by fixing the harnesg or walking around, 
whistling or singing, if in the mood. Tliere 
must not be any aj)j)eai'ance of anger. (Jlive the 
Jiorsc time to get ovei- the irritation and become 
willing to use his strength against the collar. 
Any characteristic of willjulness denotes si)irit 
and Rcnsil)ility, cojisecjuently not disposed to 
submit to l)eing rudely and injudiciously forced 
in harness. If doul)le, get both horses to start 
evenly. This can ])e <h)ne best, Jind greatly 
lesson the weiglit of the load in starting, by 
standing directly in front of both horses, catch- 
ing the bits with the hands. Now move the 
horses gently to the rigid; or left until the wlicel 
almost strikes the side of the WMgon — giving 
them time to become steady. Wlien you see 
they are ready, speak with a cheerful, encourag- 
ing voice, "(;ome boys" If this precaution is 
taken, there will be no further trouble; but 
Ijcar in mind that the horses must not now bo 
])ermitted to go to the limit of their strength. 
While they are still pulling with energy, at the 
first favorable place stop tliem. After ample 
time to recuperate, speak to them gently to go. 



68 

It sec^ms to be natural for a horse to go ftheact 
and draw all he can, and it is only when con- 
fused, excited and abused by the most unreasdil- 
able imprudence and abuse that tlie disposition 
is excited to balk. When once the habit is 
learned, it is liable at any moment to be persisted 
in if excited dr much force is used. 

If there is any treatment to which horses ard 
subject in educating to harness that is unreasoil- 
able, and needlessly harsh, and should be cdr- 
rected, it is this of pounding ol' N^hip'ping to 
make them go, wticn p'erhaps the animal is 
confused and discouraged, and not in a condi- 
tion to make much of an eilbrt. 

The first rind tiiost fatal cause of this per- 
plexing habit is the common practice of har- 
nessing horses, and attempting to drive them, 
and make them draw heavy loads before the 
mouth is even trained to submit to the j^uidance 
or restraint of the bit. I get out of all patience 
with men who say they are good horsemen, 
pride themselves for perhaps owning many 
horses, and always having more or less to do 
with them, who talk and act as it all that is 
necessary to do is to whip the animal through 
at all hazards. If this would make the horse 
go when commenced, it would be pardonable ; 
but when it is known, or ought to be, that 
whipping in harness if there is not certainty of 
forcing obedience, is just what should not be 
donCi The paliative treatment of patience 
and nteans of encouragement if there is not a 
knowledge of proper trc^atnlent, should be 
adopted. It is only reasonable that the liorse 
should resist and become tixed in the habit 
when needlessly excited and abused. 

The wliip is too irritating, without enabling 



69 

sufficient power to force obedience, and as the 
will is stimulated to increased positiveness and 
sensibility it becomes blunted in proportion to 
tl)e degree the blood is warmed, this advan- 
tage of force by the whip decreases, while the 
resistance is increased — hence is often a direct 
.capse of failure. 

If the whip is to be depended upon, the 
horse should be driven around with harness, 
when it should be made to crack keenly around 
the hind legs the instant after "get up " is spo- 
ken, until the horse learns to spring ahead when 
CQpimanded. When there is perfect obedience 
attach to wagon and move gently, stopping 
a^d starting often, until obedience becomes 
habitual. To prevent this habit the colt should 
be driven around with harness, touching up 
with the whip, until the idea of starting at the 
touch of the whip, and guiding and submitting 
to the bit becomes prompt and habitual. Then 
4rive slow and gently for some time after being 
attached to wagon. 

If the habit is learned, and especially in sin- 
gle harness, it is usually more resistance to the 
bit than collar, and if the horse is young w^ill 
yield readily to simple treatment. Put through 
a careful but thorough course of subjection. 
Then put on harness and breaking bit. Drive 
ground, whipping sharply the instant the horse 
does not start when commanded, guiding right 
and left, and stopping to the control of the bit. 
If there is a habit of lunging ahead regardless 
of the bit, or will not stand as desired when 
hitched, be positive and thorough in requiring 
instant obedience to the coniinand whoa. 
Drive around until there is perfect obedience. 
Then hitch to wagon, gently start and stop th^ 



70 

hoi'j^o ropoatodly, i;-radiially beoomiui!: positive 
and commanding in notion, nntil tho obedioneo 
is made oortai!u The losson of drivinii: to har- 
ness shonld be repented if there is any dispo- 
sition to resist. ■ Bnt if the resistance is so 
positive that this treatment will not cU^, try the 
war bridK\ pnllini;- riii'ht and lett, nntil tlie 
horse yields promptly to least restraint npon 
the hea(i. There nuist be kindness and tlattery 
for every aet o[' obedience, and the most poai- 
tivi> reproof at i^aeh effort (>f resistance. Bnt 
too mnch re^-ard cannot be paid to tlie valne of 
attectionato treatment when there is obedience. 
Talk kindly, give apples, oats or anything the 
liorse likes. 

The impression of kind treatment gradually 
showing and encouraging the animal to yield 
obedience is certainly very eifective, when car- 
ried ont well in practice. During my early ex- 
]Hn"i<'nce I traded horses verv often. In this way 
I became the owner of :i pony mare eight years 
old. Slie proved balky, and on inquiry learned 
that she had been traded round for years, and 
had been owned by nearly all the sharp jockeys 
in the country — being entirely unmanageable. 
8he would neither go down hill or move on a 
level in harness. Neighbors advised to proso- 
cnte for imposing upon me with such a good-for- 
nothing animal. Making it a rule not to find 
fault if cheated, I declared myself satisfied and 
concluded to try what I could do with her. I 
iirst tilled my pockets with apples, leil the mare 
to a sci'lmled piece of smooth, slighly descend- 
road, haulinu' the buii'^'v bv hand. Uiti'heil her 



71 

to hugi^y, (lid not urge her to go, read a paper 
the better to show indifterence. 

After a while nlie started on a rnn. To try to 
make her go slow by pulling would be equiva- 
lent to making her stop, and so let her go until 
she )f^ore oft* the sharp eAf^e of her ambition. I 
now gradually pulled her baek as leould see s?ie 
would bear, when I readied a deseending piece 
of ground, made her stop, got out of wagon, 
talked gently, gave her an apple, then moved for- 
ward a little, saying "come Jennie," (her name) 
gave her another apple, rubbing the head as 
before, and so repeated for aVjout half an hour. 
Then would get into the buggy and make her 
start, after going a few feet or rods making her 
stop, but always getting out and rewarding her 
with an apple. The result was, that Jennie 
soon not only would start and stop when com- 
manded, but became anxious to obey me. Drove 
her home; treated her with the utmost kind- 
ness ; next day hitched her up gently, made her 
start and stop a few times Ijefore getting into 
the buggy ; got into the buggy ; soon made 
her stop, but rewarded as before. The result 
was that I soon could depend upon her starting 
and sto[)ping when commanded. Of course 1 
carried this treatment from a descending road 
to an ascending grade, learning the mare 
gradually to use her strength. The result was 
that she becanie one of the most willing and 
pleasant little drawing animals I ever owned. 
J^old her in a few weeks. 8he became the 
property of a rough bad man to horses, who 
by needless abuse made her balk on his way 
home, and became spoiled. This mare was of 
a sanguine nervous tem])erament, natually 
willing to do all she could when shown, and 



72 

troiitod kiiuUy, but wouKl not l>o:\r wliippiiio; 
j\ml abuso. 1 1 or will was 8<) strong' that ^ho 
woiiUl stand bravely, roii'ardloss ot" tho most 
sovoro whippini:;. I struok lior with a whip 
but cMU'O whon sho throw horsolt' (K>wn in tho 
haruoss. Thoro oannot bo too inuoh oaro and 
pationoo with youuii' luM'sos that aro loarning to 
diivo. It' a littlo stubborn, putting tlirough a 
short oourso o!" subjootion aiui teaching to uiove 
forward as bot'oi'o oxplninod. will siH>n enable 
port'eet submission, ll' lunvever, the habit is 
tliorougldy formed, it must be eountoraetod by 
direct me:4ns. To do this best, hitch the balker 
by tho side of a gentle iiorse. Attach a strong 
piece of cord in the form of a crouper, under 
the tail ol' the balker, bring forward through 
the terret and tie to the hame ring oi' the 
gentle horse, just short enough to give tVeedom 
so long as the horses are even, but the instant 
there is a disposition to rel'use, the whole jH)wor 
of the gentle horse is brought to bear ut)on tho 
tail, which will cause the horse to jump for- 
ward instantly. 8toi> and start repeatedly, 
until there is no dis[H>sition to refuse moving 
forward when commanded. {Should pulling on 
tho tail irritate and cause kicking, at onco 
remove the cord; tie the end of the hair into 
a knot : tie the cord to the hair by this knot. 
Bring ibrward between the legs and attach tho 
cord to the hame ring or collar oi^ the gentle 
horse, as betore. The restraint is now on the 
tail lengthwise, which has a remarkably discon- 
certing intluence, with great power to force the 
horse forward when the gentle horse starts. 
If this should fail there is but one more re- 
source left, which I can here describe, but 
whicli is very elfeetive aud valuable if properly 
applied. 



78 



Put the war hrirllc; on ; brirjg the part over 
tlie nock forward to tlj<j oarH ; now jerk 8ido- 
wajH arifi alifjad, and finally ahead an tlierc is 
HubrniHsion, until thcro ih i>roni[)t obedience in 
corning ah(;ad wlieri })ulled upon. Hitefj to 
w.'i^on by t}i(5 Hi(Je of a ti'ue liorHe. Have [»re- 
pared a Braootb Htifl" pole about the length of 
tlie wagon tongue. Bore a hole a few inches 
from tJie large end, and about a foot or more 
forward of the head bore another. Lay this 
pole over that of the wagon, the end over that 
of the true horHe'w whiilletree, and tie lirmly 




on top with a [>i(ice of cord. J^ow step for- 
ward and tie a piece of nmall rope from one 
hame ring to tlie other of the horHCS, under 
tlie pole, BO aH to be juHt taut when in position. 
Pass another piece of the same si/.ed cord around 
the pole and tie it into the true horse's hame 
ring sliort enough to hold the pole in the 
center. Tie the cord on the head now to the 
pole through the hole, just long erjough to give 
freedom, so long as the horses keep even ; but 
as soon as there is refusal to go, the strength 
of the true liorse is brcjught by the pole on the 
head, which will compel goirig ahead, (see cut.) 
4 



Stftrt and stop the horses ol'toii, until obodiencii 
is soonrod. Tins polo may bo nsod so loni:^ a^ 
thoro is any dispt>si(ion to balk. 

The horso slunild not bo recpiirod at first to 
nso the strength in drawing. Lot this bo re- 
quired gradually, as there is obedieneo and 
willingness inspired to work. It is ti grave 
fault to try to make the horse work ininiedi- 
ately. This must not be attempted. First, 
create a willingness to start when eommandoi], 
then gradually put in loading until it beeomos 
habitnaal to draw when eommanded. I an^ 
aware very many will have nmeh trouble, and 
may wholly tail with horses of this eharaeter. 
It is presumed that there is taet and intelli- 
gence enougli to appreciate and understand the 
necessity of being patient, prudent and thor- 
ough in adapting the ellbrts skillfully. I'hose 
who will not or have not mind enough to feel 
the responsibility and value of being governed 
b}^ reason in the management of habits, not 
oidy of this type but o( any other, must expect 
a posv^ibility, with some very bad horses, of 
failure. 

A very good way to work a single balkor, is 
to drive first by the side of a gentle horse with 
the polo, then hitch to single wagon, using two 
small poles instead oi' reins to the bit. ]S\uv, 
if the liorse does nc^t move promptly when 
(commanded, a little push on the poles will 
cause him t(^ start, and soon cause prompt 
obedience. But I would renund auain that 
patience, delicacy and skill in carrying out tho 
principles taught, is the primary and grand 
essential to insure success. I would therefore 
remind, that to illustrate the full value of my 
theory, it is indispensible that all the firmness, 



skill and patience possible should be used in 
directing and controlling the efforts, since with- 
out the relation of the eiiorts is made reasonably 
right, the advantage may be so far neutralized 
as to prevent success. 

Kicking^ In Htull. 

TViis is one of those habits that requires 
penetration of observance and care in guarding 
against danger. Let the horse know by some 
signal or command, of your presence and inten- 
tion to approach. Many horses of the gentlest 
character would kick if approached suddenly 
and unexpectedly; and again, many horses that 
are gentle but a little peevish, will not bear 
being approached without a little care in attract- 
ing attention. The motion of the ears and lips, 
and expression of the eye will always notify of 
danger. And here let me warn the reader that 
however careful he may be in not going too 
ne^r the horse, there must not be a semblance 
of fear shown in language or actions. The 
commands must be low and positive, indicating 
power. If the horse will not move round and 
seem to be distracted from a positive intention, 
stand still, and if the animal does not yield, 
walk off, carelessly whistling, in such a way 
that the horse does not see that you feel de- 
feated. 

If you have attention, repeat Jie words "get 
around, or over," with a positiveness that must 
be obeyed, looking at the eye as if you could 
and would crush all opposition. When you see 
the horse shrink from your gaze, glide in to the 
shoulder, before the mind can be made to act, 
and the next instant let the left hand be passed 



70 

along the neck and down the head to the nose- 
piece of the halter and you are safe, as the horse 
cannot now kick, strike or bite you. I have 
repeatedly got to the shoulder of horses in this 
»vay that would kick and strike the stall just 
after I passed, yet not be struck ; it is a feat, 
however, that must not be attempted unless 
necessary. In going out, the rule is the same — 
pull the liead towards you, looking at the eye 
sternly; this will throw the quarters from you, 
and at the instant you let go, glide out and you 
are safe. 

If the horse is dangerous, the safest and best 
course is to put on the war bridle and make him 
feel your power by a few sharp jerks of it. 
Lead the animal into the stall, then step back 
opposite the hips and sny, "get around." If 
there is not prompt obedience, give a sharp 
jerk, which will throw the hind part from you. 
Repeat this, and in a short time the horse will 
learn to step around promptly when command- 
ed, and allow being approached. If the horse 
is persistant leave the cord on, the small loop 
being left larger and passed above the noose- 
piece or through the rings of the halter. As 
you now step out, retain the cord in the hand 
and hang or tie the end to a nail on the post, 
leaving sutticient length to permit the horse 
entire freedom to the halter. Now when you 
desire to go into the stall, if the horse does not 
step round when commanded, untie or unhook 
the end of the cord and give a jerk upon it, 
which will brini>: the animal to his senses. 
Leaving this on a few days, caressing and giv- 
ing presents of sugar, apples, or anything of 
which the horse is fond, will soon not only break 
up the confidence, but so enlist the attention 



77 

that your approach will be looked for and in- 
vited to approach by stepping round, and en- 
deavoring to reach around for the present. 

I would here remind, that there are very many 
men who are not fit to have anything to do with 
a sensitive, well-bred horse. They are either 
so coarse and harsh as to excite resentment and 
hate, and so dull and ignorant that they cannot 
or will not see that they must both conceal fear 
and avoid danger. They will not do either. They 
abuse and show so much fear as both to excite 
end encourage resistance, and without the genius 
or tact to correct the cause of mischief, they at- 
tribute all the trouble to the natural viciousness 
of the animal. 

I would caution also against teasing horses in 
the stall, or while cleaning, by pinching, prick- 
ing or whipping, to show up, as the term is. 
Gentlemen who own fine horses should be very 
particular about this, and a man who would in 
any way persist in such treatment, or in any 
manner excite resistance by annoying or abusive 
treatment, should be at once discharged, what- 
ever his other qualifications. 

Pulliiiff on Ilaller. 

It is the disposition of the horse to persist in 
what he learns, and this is remarkably so where 
the habit is one of resistance to the restraint of 
the halter or bit. If the halter strap is broken 
once or twice, there is a determined purpose to 
pull loose at all hazard when hitched. This is 
sometimes only in the place the habit has been 
learned. Thus a horse learns to pull loose in 
the stall, he will resist being hitched in stall, 
but will submit to be hitched anywhere else ; 



78 

or the horse has learned to pull loose in the 
street and resists there, but will submit and not 
pull in stall. This habit is taught either by 
being tied by the halter before knowing or being 
taught to submit to being tied, or accidentall}^ 
breaking the tying strap. If from the first cause 
the animal becomes frightened, pulls, and if 
successful in breaking loose, the habit is estab- 
lished ; or the halter strap is so weak that the 
least jerk upon it causes it to break and the 
habit becomes fixed. As prevention is much 
better and cheaper than cure, and if the horse 
should be trained to submit to the restraint of 
the halter, or the hitching straps should be 
strong enough not to give way, even though 
pulled upon severel3\ 

To break up the habif, get a strong half inch 
cord sixteen feet in length ; put the center under 
the tail like a crouper ; twist them a few times 
as you bring them forward over the back ; pass 
forward on each side of the neck, through the 
halter ring and tie to the post or manger same 
as a halter; excite bj^ any means that will make 
the horse pull until the habit is overcome. To 
insure safety, would hitch so for a few days, or 
so long as there is any predisposition to pull on 
the halter. Same treatment for pulling on the 
bridle. 

Biting' aiKl Striking:. 

There are many habits which to break up 
successfully requires not onl}' good judgment, 
but the highest order of nerve, and this is 
not only one, but one that requires the highest 
order of this fitness. The least want of watch- 
fulness wilj encourage this propensity, and 
however thorough the training, if there is not 



79 

this care the horse will be encouraged to be- 
come aggressiv^e, and once allowed to do so 
snccessfally the point gained is lost. Hence 
the necessity of being able to see the intention 
at a glance, and disconcert the mind from its 
purpose before being fully developed. The 
horse must be made to yield the most perfect 
submission. If a stallion this is an absolute 
necessity. If the war bridle will not enable 
this, put through a coarse of subjection, and 
follow up with either four ring bit or war 
bridle, punishing sharply. In approaching 
afterwards, speak sharply "get round!" or any 
signal that will attract attention. Let the left 
hand be put on the shoulder, (near side,) glide 
it up the neck to the head, then down to the 
nose-piece of the halter. If there is an attempt 
to bite now, the hand is carried up before the 
head and held out of reach, while you can 
keep the head from you with the greatest ease. 

An old horse subject to this habit must be 
watched closely. So long as there is disposition, 
to bite, the horse must not be regarded safe. 
Carelessness and timidity, especially if sub- 
jected to harsh treatment, may be regarded as 
the primary cause. Have known horses to be- 
come inveterate biters by being whipped once 
or twice. 

A gentleman informed me lately that a horse 
he lately owned became perfectly vicious by 
being struck once with the w4iip in stall. 
He was, up to that time, as gentle as any 
horse could be. One of the most vicious 
horses I ever handled of this character, was 
made so by being whipped once severely. He 
jumped at his owner and would have killed 
him if not driven oft' with clubs. He had run 



80 

in his stall seven months, and would Juriip at 
any one with the ferocity of a desperate dog. 
I made him gentle in less than twenty minutes, 
and he remained of a good character afterwards. 
If the horse is young and thoroughly treated, 
there will be hut little trouble in reforming the 
animal. If old and bad there is no hope of 
success, unless there is unusual nerve, and 
genius to make every move just right, anc^ 
follow up the treatment until the mind relaxes 
from the purpose, and the affections are won. 
The habit is clearly a mania when once thor- 
oughly learned. 

If the horse is allowed to bite without instant 
and positive reproof, after training, no matter 
bow thorough the training, the predisposition 
will be again so strongly developed as to make 
the animal watch for an opportunity to bite. 
After forcing obedience, encourage every act 
of docility. Be continually on the watch for 
danger and punish energeticall}^ for aggression, 
but immediately encourage obedience by kind 
atfectionate treatment. 

Cribbing:. 

Cribbing, so far as we are able to learn or 
judge, is a habit. There may be constitu- 
tionally predisposing causes, but it is certain 
whatever the pretentions of any one, I have 
never been given any proof of ability to break 
up the habit with medicine. Horses will not 
crib on anything that is lower than the knees. 
Hence the treatment of tearing away the man- 
ger and feeding on the floor, or in a basket. 
Sometimes sawing between the teeth will stop 
the habit. 



81 

There is but one practical plan of breaking 
up this habit, and the success of that will de- 
pend, very much upon the skill displayed in 
making the adjustment. 

The act of cribbing induces considerable con- 
traction of the muscles of the neck. The 
larynx is forced down much beyond its natural 
position. This then is the key through which 
we must act. Have the throat-latch of the 
halter hang on a line with the top of the head 
to the junction of the neck with the head. 
Take a piece of strap, (good firm leather), 
about five inches in length, and as wide as 
the throat-latch. Drive ten ounce tacks in a 
row along the center of this strap, three 
eighths of an inch apart. File the points 
sharp and of an equal length. Lay this strap 
on the inside of the throat-latch where it crosses 
the larynx, wind a piece of waxed thread 
around both, at the center and ends of the 
short strap. Buckle the throat-latch just long 
enough so that it will not touch the neck when 
eating or drinking, but will press sharply at 
the least attempt to crib. The result is that at 
every attempt to crib the tacks will stick into 
the neck, which will hurt and disconcert the 
horse from the purpose of doing so. 

The point of success will really depend upon 
the perfection and care with which this is kept 
adjusted. If there is large muscular develop- 
ment on the neck or thick necked, the strap 
must be buckled shorter than when the neck 
is well cut out, as it is termed. Make the re- 
proof severe at first. Then keep it so as to 
touch sharply when a repetition is attempted. 
If the throat-latch is not on a line with the top 

of the head, the tacks will rest against and cut 
4* 



8-2 

the jaw, a little below the junction of the head 
with the neck. If this is kept on a few days 
or weeks, and then put on carelessly or taken 
oiF, there is likely to be fiiilure ; for if the 
horse finds he can crib once after this is put on 
without hurting himself, he will try to -repeat 
the effort at all hazards, and will punish him- 
self severely to do so. But if punished at first 
and kept where it will sting at the least at- 
tempt, It will be likely to cure the habit. It is 
to be kept on from a few weeks to as many 
months, according to the age and persistence 
of the habit. 

Getting- Vast in Stnll. 

Drive a staple into a beam, or the floor directly 
over the horse's head, as he stands in the stall, 
to which attach a strap or piece of small rope of 
sufficient length to extend within fifteen inches 
of the floor. Before retiring for the night, at- 
tach the other end of the cord or strap to the 
top of the halter, making it just long enough 
to allow the horse to put his nose to the floor. 
Being now unable to get the top of his head to 
the floor, he is prevented from rolling. 

Putting: the Tongrue out of tlie lllouth. 

Have fitted a piece of thin sheet iron, about 
two and a half inches wide, and five inches long, 
with the ends made rounding, and the edges 
filed smooth. Drill two small holes about half 
an inch apart near the each edge at the center. 
Fasten it through these holes on top of the bit 
with a piece of small annealed wire. Shorten 
the cheek pieces of the bridle, so that the bit is 



8a 

drawn well up in the mouth. This piece of iron 
is now over the tongue, makin-i' it impossible 
for the horse to get the tongue over the bit. 
Keep this on the bit for two or three weeks, 
when the horse will become habituated to carry- 
ing the tongue under the bit and keeping it in 
the mouth. The tongue is sometimes, but not 
often put out under the bit, which will show a 
confirmed persistence in the habit, and is some- 
times impossible to prevent. The following 
treatment will work admirably in most cases, 
and is the only treatment worth explaining. 

Get three middling sized bullets and hammer 
them out to about an inch and a half in length. 
Drill a little hole through the end of each. Tie 
one to the center of the bit by a little piece of 
wire through the joint. Attach the others to 
the bit about an inch from the center, (one on 
«ach side), so as to play loosely. When the bit 
is now in the rnouth, these extra arrangements 
will so disconcert the horse that in his struggles 
to get them out of the way, he will forget to 
put the tongue out. 

Jampingr Ov«r Fences. 

Many farmers assert that this alone is worth 
the entire expense of the lesson. Certainly if 
this will prove so valuable, the instruction on 
Taming and Changing Habits must be invalu- 
able. If a horse or mule, put on a halter that 
fits well to the head — a five ring halter is best. 
Next find a piece of thin leather, (an old boot 
leg will do) about as long as the head, and from 
four to five inches wider than the head is at the 
eyes. Form it same as cut, with a string at- 
tached at each corner. Attach the upper cor- 



84 



nei'H by the strings to the halter where the brow- 
piece is attached to the cheek-piece. Tie the 
cords attached to the lower corners back of the 
jaw, (being carefnl to leave just freedom enough 
to masticate easily.) Let the ends now pass over 
the throat-latch, and make fast. The horse is 
simply disabled from looking ahead ; can look 
sidew^ays and back, but cannot look ahead or 
over the nose forward, which will disconcert 
sufficiently to prevent the animal not only jump- 
ing, but throwing the fence down. If an ox or 




cow, attach the upper corners to the horns, and 
pass the strings around the neck instead of over 
the throat-latch. I find that cows will not at- 
tempt to jump after this has been used two or 
three weeks. Horses and mules a much longer 
time, and in some cases must be used for months. 
Of course farmers should keep fences in good 
repair to keep stock from being tempted to jump 
them. It is fallacy to suppose that means how- 
ever valuable can be wholly relied upon for suc- 
cess, so long as the cause is permitted to con- 
tinue. The leather should be at least four inches 



85 

wider than the head at the eyes, but live or 
nioie will be much better. This will bring the 
leather outside of the eyes when on from two to 
three inches, and around the side of the face to 
prevent working over the no»e. There may be 
failure with this, but if properly applied excep- 
tions will be rare, as it has proved so far almost 
infallible. 

Vntving In Stall. 

Get a piece of chain about ten inches in 
length — run a short strap through one of the 
end links, and buckle it around the foot above 
the fetlock; or a piece of light chain can be 
fastened to a small block, and attach it to the 
foot in the same manner. When the horse 
attempts to paw, the clog or chain rattles against 
the foot, and prevents a ref>etition of the prac- 
tice. 

KiokinifT on Stall. 

The same treatment used for preventing paw- 
ing may be used ; or a piece of plank may be 
attached across the stall over the hips about an 
in'ch higher than the hips. At each effort to 
kick now, the hind part will strike this plank 
and prevent ability to do so. If the kicking is 
with one foot against side of stall, attach som« 
brush to the side of the stall, or hang down 
loosely over the part kicked at. 

Parting: too Hard on Bit, Tnrning- Aronnd while 
Driving", or Rnnning: Back. 

Sufficiently explained in the article on Runn- 
ing Away ; which, with the illustration given 
in teaching, will enable sufficient knowledge of 
the treatment necessary. 



86 



Kicking;- Cows. 

Put on the war bridle, (small loop) and pull 
a few times right and left, then go back gently 
and attempt to milk. On the least resistance, 
hold with the bridle and punish , sharply, so 
repeating as may be necessary until the cow 
learns to stand quietly and becomes afraid to 
kick. Effectual in every instance. 

Of course due attention must be given to the 
condition of the animal. Sometimes the teats 
are sore, and the pain caused by milking is very 
severe. Scolding, kicking or pounding with the 
stool should not be permitted, as it only in- 
creases the mischief it is desired to avert. One 
or two lessons has proved effectual in every 
instance used. 

War Bridle. 

This is simply a fine threaded cotton cord of 
the best material, twisted hard, of about three- 
eighths of an inch in diameter, and twelve or 
fourteen feet lon^. Tie each end into a hard 
knot, just as you would do to prevent its ravel- 
ing, with the difference of putting the end 
through the tie twice. Then pull down tight 
and hard close to the end. l!5'ow tie another 
knot about twelve inches from the end, but 
before drawing it tight, put the end through. 
This will make a loop that will not slip or draw 
through. The great simplicity of this form of 
knot, with the ease with which it can be untied, 
gives it preference to me over all other forms of 
knot I have ever used, and is, in my judgment, 
the best form of knot, all things considered, to 
be recommended for general use. The peculiar 



87 

power this means of control enables upon the 
mouth, is liable to cause accident, when used 
upon a quick, sensitive horse or green colt, with 
too much energy in such a manner as to bring 
the restraint directly back upon the mouth, 
which would in many cases cause- the horse to 
rear up and possibly fall over backward upon 
the head. Of course a horse is liable to get 
killed by such an accident, and must and should 
be guarded against. This loop should be just 
large enough to go over the lower jaw, back of 
the bridle teeth of the horse it is intended to be 
used upon. The other end can now be formed 
into another loop in the same manner, with the 
difi'erence of being large enough to go over the 
head and fit tightly around the neck near the 
shoulder. 

Ai>plyiiig: the War Bridle. 

There are two ways of applying and using the 
war bridle : 

1st. While standing forward of the shoulders 
on the near side of the horse, throw the small 
loop over the neck and take in the left hand. 
Then with the right put the large loop through 
from the top side. Now pass the left hand for- 
ward to the mouth, adroitly spreading the loop 
in the same position over the thumb, second, 
third and fourth fingers; at the same time the 
right hand is to be passed under the neck, 
around the head, upon the nose, which is to be 
grasped gently but firmly, while the loop is put 
over the jaw back of the bridle teeth with the 
left. 

By standing near the shoulder and giving a 
sharp pull, you will find the horse will come to 
you easily, by repeating which the horse will 



fiooti leani to follow. This \s a powerful means 
of oontmlling by tlie head ; is particularly val- 
uable in teaching to lead, and control the head, 
for forcing in bridling, harnessing, grooming, 
or eveii in shoeing, if simply a little irritable. 
Drawing down tightly and tying into a half 
hitch, will sometimes have a powerful cflect. 
It is not however to be res^arded as an infallible 
means, but is a really good simple means of 
restraint, and must be used with care. When the 
horse is of a stubborn positive character, es- 
pecially if unbroke it will be found that there 
will not always be sufficient power to force 
obedience with it, tliough in the majority of 
cases it will be found to enable very tine re- 
sults. 

2d. Take the large loop between both hands, 
and while standing directly in front of the 
horse, slide it over his head well back upon the 
neck, about where the collar rests. The loop 
should be made in size to fit tightly around 
this part of the neck. iSow put the other end 
down between the loop and neck. Put the 
loop this forms into his mouth back of the bri- 
dle teeth, then draw down upon the end until 
the slack is taken up. This method of using 
the war bridle, enables more power sideways 
than that of the first, but does not like the first 
enable any power to pull ahead. 



Four nine Bit. 

This means of controlling by the head ena- 
bles great power. The knowledge of its use 
alone if properly applied, is worth the expense 
of the lesson and book. 



89 

Get a short snaffle bit, (steel is best). Heat 
one of the rings and slip over it two-inch and 
a half rings, (common malleable rings found in 
harness shops will do,) then bend the ring into 
form. You have now a common snaffle bit^ 




with two rings on the mouth-piece, (see cut.) 
Buckle into a common bridle. Get made next 
two straps, one two foot in length and three- 
quarters of an inch wide, made like a hame 
strap ; the other about three feet in length, 
narrower and lighter. Run the short strap 
through both rings and buckle double, in the 
form of a nose-piece, buckling just long enough 
to fit around the nose closely. Bring the long- 
strap around the short -one at the center, pass 
up and through a little loop left in the bridle 
between the ears and buckle, just short enough 
to let the nose-piece come straight across the 
nose. It will now be found by standing in 
front of the horse, putting both thumbs through 
the rings and giving a little jerk down and 
backwards, that the head will be thrown up and 
back easily. The stop across the nose acting 
as the fulcrum when the rings on the end of 
the bit are pulled upon, the two inside rings 
slide towards the center forcing the joint up- 
wards against the roof of the mouth, which 
causes so much pain that the horse will not try 
to resist after being pulled upon a few times. 
By tying the end of a small cord around the 
near ring of the bit, then pass the other end 
behind the jaw through the other ring, then 



90 

over the neck and down between the cord and 
jaw, (let the part over the neck be set well 
back). Now, by pulling sideways upon the 
cord, the horse will be found to yield very 
promptly to its restraint. As a driving bit this 
is very powerful. After being pulled upon a few 
times, there are but few horses that will try to 
resist it. It overcomes pulling on one rein or 
throwing the nose upon the breast. The effect 
of this bit on some horses is very great. It 
does not cut or make the mouth sore like other 
bits, and would be specially valuable on horses 
that pull hard and get the mouth sore, as it 
does not touch the lower jaw, yet forces perfect 
submission. 

Foot Stras>. 

Any piece of strap or rope of about twelve 
or fourteen feet in length, simply tied around 
the fore-foot in most any manner, will answer 
on an emergency. But as simply tying or knot- 
ting around the foot is objectionable on account 
of the danger of chafing and preventing circu- 
lation, or possibly untying at some critical 
moment. When necessary to use a foot-strap 
much, it should be specially adapted for the 
purpose by making as follows : Have a smooth 
strap made, about twelve inches long and an 
inch wide, with a buckle on one end and 
buckle holes punched in the other. About one 
inch from the buckle should be fitted, under the 
lap passing around the buckle, a ring or D 
stitched in nicely. The edges of this trap 
should be dressed down smooth ; or much 
better, cover the part coming in contact with 
the foot with a piece ot soft leather. This strap 
18 intended to buckle around the foot below the 



91 

fetlock. Into the ring fasten the end of a strap 
or web fourteen feet long and an inch and a 
half wide. 

Buckle the short strap around the near fore- 
foot below the fetlock, then pass the long strap 
over the belly-band on the near side })ack to 
the wagon, and hold as a rein. This gives con- 
trol of the foot at will, bj which the horse can 
be disabled and disconcerted instantly, while 
driving. If the horse attempts to kick, simply 
pulling the foot up throws him off his balance. 
He can neither kick or run back, and if he at- 
tempts to go ahead it must be on three legs, in 
a manner that makes resistance quite limited. 
It is especially valuable when training colts to 
drive, by neutralizing the animal's power to 
resist, should he become frightened and attempt 
to kick or back. The foot-strap is also valuable 
as a means of enabling control of horses that 
will not submit to being rode, and is very 
effective. 

Trotting^. 

Though not an object of my instruction, there 
is 80 much interest of late in trotting, and there 
is such a general anxiety to make every promis- 
ing colt a fast trotter, that such simple explana- 
tions as may be necessary to aid those who are 
not familiar with the management of horses, 
how to develop and grow young horses into the 
trotting gait becomes important, since to sell 
for a good price, there must be good speed 
in the trot. Hence, my farmer friends look 
with pride on promising "steppers," and I 
desire at least to include such hints ^s will pre- 
vent spoiling such colts in an attempt to train 
them to a fast trotting gait. 



92 

The first object should be to make the colt 
gentle and fearless — next to train the mouth 
carefully. Commence by putting on a smooth 
snaffle bit, gradually checking short as the horse 
becomes accustomed to it and will bear restraint; 
giving two or three lessons in teaching submis- 
sion to flexible restraint, as explained in the 
article on Bitting. Drive now slowly and gently 
in harness until the colt learns to submit to and 
be guided by the bit. If you take much pride 
in the colt, let the lessons be slow and careful. 
The point of driving in harness accomplished, 
attach to a sulky or the shafts and fore wheels 
of a buggy and drive around on a walk. When 
there is perfect submission to this, and the same 
delicacy of submission is retained to the restraint 
of the bit, repeat the driving, now riding — 
but as before, on a walk. A good walking gait 
should be the foundation of the training. Con- 
tinue this walking lesson until the colt is thor- 
oughly gentle and submissive, and has learned 
to walk with energy. IN'ow gradually let out on 
a moderate trot, holding up often, gradually 
letting out a little faster, as the strength and 
education will bear, but never so as to cause 
fatigue. Those muscles that are brought most 
into use are most largely developed, and bear 
in mind also that a colt has neither the strength 
or bottom of an old horse, to bear either much 
exertion, or to be pushed in his gait, and can 
not at once act the part of a fast going, well 
trained horse. 

Let this jogging be continued, gradually as 
there is ambition and the road is smooth and 
decending ; but let out only so fast, or to the 
point that the gait is held even and square ; 
and at first should be held only a short distance, 



98 

after which pull back to a walk and speak en- 
couragingly. This is to be repeated, gradually 
going a little faster, but never to the point of 
exhaustion, always encouraging with a kind 
word or two after doing well. I would here 
caution against hitching the colt to a heavy 
wagon or sulky. The weight must be reduced 
as much as possible, and the better to facilitate 
the object, always let the bursts of speed be on 
a smooth slightly decending piece of road. By 
this precaution you will remove all drag, and 
the horse is able to use all his powers to the 
best possible advantage. 

During the driving particular attention should 
be given to the training of the mouth. Learn 
the horse to pull steadily and firmly on the bit, 
yet come back easily at a signal, or when the 
pressure is increased. A horse wastes power 
to the degree he pulls on the bit more than is 
necessary to be guided and held steady in his 
gait. Second, the freedom of the larynx is so 
lessened by pulling hard as to make breathing 
difficult. Third, the bit is your only resource 
by which to stop the animal in case of an acci- 
dent, and the coiitrol must be easy and positive 
or there is danger of the horse running away 
when^ greatly excited. Yet it will not do to 
make the mouth sore, or jerk severely with a 
harsh^bit, as this would make the horse un- 
willing to pull at all, and he would be afraid to 
go fast, fearing the severity of being jerked. 

This is a point, to overcome successfully 
that seems to baffle really able trotting trainers, 
and indeed, as I before asserted, one that puz- 
zles the most skillful horsemen in the country. 
They permit the horse as he becomes warmed 
to pull with energy. The habit grows upon 



94 

the animal, to the verge of pulling as much as 
a strong man can well hold, and at the least 
accident the increased excitement increases the 
resistance to the bit so much as to make it 
impossible for the driver, even though able to 
use his utmost strength^ to pull the horse up ; 
and as a consequence is almost free to run 
away, and liable to do so when greatly excited. 
Being allowed to pull hard on the bit also en- 
dangers a fast stepper to run sideways, and 
permitted to do so once, there will be a strong 
predisposition to the habit. Thus an other- 
wise incomparable horse is made so unreliable 
as to be rendered almost valueless. 

It is often a cause of no ordinary astonish- 
ment to even critical horsemen to see with 
what ease I can make horses of known bad 
character in resisting the strain of the bit and 
running away, submit to the most gentle pull 
of the reins, though subjected to great excite- 
ment — and it is. a cause of as much surprise to 
me that horsemen of experience should make so 
much of a blunder in trying to do what is so 
simple and easy, or attach so little importance 
to a feature of training, upon the success of 
which the control of the horse and the safety 
of his use must so largely depend. 

This is the more important in educating to 
trot, since fast trotting necessitates so much 
freedom as to call out all the energies, almost 
to the verge of running away — hence the 
necessity of so training the mouth that it can 
be held sufficiently passive to ensure certainty 
of controlling the actions at will, when even 
subjected to the greatest excitement and free- 
dom. These results can now be easily pre- 
vented by a little care. 



95 

It is natural for a horse to resist the bit at 
first, and the greater the speed the more thie 
disposition is increased, to the extreme of pull- 
ing more if permitted to use his strength 
against the hit, than a strong man could neu- 
tralize and restrain with reins. In view of 
these facts and the horse being very much a 
creature of habit, it is highly important that 
the impression is correctly taught from the first 
to yield obedience to the bit, and that this point 
is retained at all hazards during every progres- 
sive step of the education in speeding. 

This should commence with the first lesson 
of Driving in Harness. First, when moving 
on a slow walk, call "whoa." ISTot being obeyed, 
give a little raking pull, which will cause the 
horse to stop. This is to be repeated until the 
colt will stop instantly at the command whoa. 
iCsTow increase the gait, when it will be found 
the same force will have to be repeated, but to 
a less extent. When obedient on a fast walk^ 
touch up to a trot, and do the same when obe- 
dient on a fixst trot, and the same on a run. 
All this should be done slowly. The colt 
should be encouraged by caressing and kind 
words when he does well, and by all means the 
instant there is a pull on the reins forcing the 
horse to stop instantly, slack up on the reins, 
so that there is no pressure felt upon the 
mouth. Taught to stop instantly when com- 
manded, commence again on a walk, urging 
up, and soon after learning the colt to come 
back to a light pull on the bit. Of course in 
doing this, as at first the pull must be quicl 
and raking, but less severe, which is to be 
gradually toned down, until only a gentle but 
firm pressure is necessary. Great care must 



96 

be taken not to excite the colt now, as this 
would destroy sensibility so much in the mouth 
as to necessitate severity of force that would 
bruise or cut the mouth. Let the horse grow 
into the habit slowly and but little force will 
be necessary ; for, though you accomplish your 
object by force that excites, when you attempt 
to renew the lesson j-ou will find the mouth 
will be so tender, in consequence of the sore- 
ness thus caused, that the horse cannot press 
against the bit at all, or but little. lie becomes 
excited and jerks, afraid of the bit and does 
not know what to do. As in stopping increase 
the speed to a trot, and gradually increase that 
to a run, slowly learnini^ the horse to yield 
to the pressure of the bit or stop, until the same 
obedience is secured on a fast trot or run. 
This lesson should be carefully repeated. When 
hitched to wagon or sulky it will be found that 
the resistance will be greatly increased. The 
lesson in consequence must be commenced on 
a walk, and gradually carried step after step to 
a fast gait. As the horse becomes accustomed 
to harness and to driving, this vigilance and 
care must be continued until the obedience to 
the command and restraint is made certain 
and easy. This it will be found will require 
more or less continuous training. The nice 
point in doing this is to gage the pressure to the 
point desired. When greater than this, relieve 
by an inclination of the raking movement, and 
if there is disregard of the command and 
warning, use more severity at once. 

If the pull is permitted to become heavy, by 
permitting freedom to do so, as the gait 
increases, the habit will become permanent. 
This is what must now be guarded against b^ 



97 

checking at once (as shown) any disposition to 
pull too hard. If there is resistance in any 
way check it immediately. This point must be 
attended to carefully if the horse is ambitious. 
This careful driving and gradually learning the 
animal to push forward when commanded is to 
be continued, but however promising, the fault 
should not be hazarded of trotting a race, or a 
long distance, before the system is thoroughly 
matured and hardened to bear prolonged 
exertion. The gait of many fine trotters 
is ruined by too much haste and harshness in 
training. A horse has not his growth until 
five years old, and should not be put to severe 
work before six or seven years old. It is 
proved by experience that much greater age is 
necessary to attain great speed. Flora Temple 
made her fastest time of two minutes nineteen 
seconds and three-quarters, when she was fif- 
teen years old, at Kalamazoo. Dexter is con- 
stantly increasing his speed, we are informed, 
by age and practice; and so it will be found 
with all the best trotters. They were grown 
into great speed by careful, persevering, work, 
by which the system is highly developed, the 
muscles are strengthened and hardened, and 
useless foul matter that would obstruct the 
freedom of the heart and lungs, and increase 
the weight, is removed. 

Should the horse break when pushed in his 
gait, he should not be pulled up too suddenly, 
which would slacken his speed. Rather en- 
courage him to go faster, and by gently and 
firmly pulling right and left bringing him to trot. 
The horse has now no disposition to resist con- 
trol, and he must be taught to rely with confi- 



98 

dence, as well as yield snbmission to tlie re- 
strnint of the bit. 

Bnt there are maiiv promising steppers that 
will break aiid run, and will not eome down to 
work again, when much exeited ; and unless 
there is power to prevent suoh a habit and tbree 
o!i the trot, the horse cannot be relied upon in 
a race, at perhaps the very instant pushing i» 
necessary. There is not power to do this by the 
bit, and consequently horses that step freely in 
private become foolish and unreliable when 
urged in company with other liorses. There irt 
but one way oY overcoming this trouble, and 
that is by the use of the following means, the 
conception of which has been original with 
myself, and brought to the notice of trainers by 
me for several years, and has proved in skillful 
hands a valuable adjunct, to the end of making 
flighty, nervous horses come down to fast re- 
liable going. 

One gentleman in Ohio, two years since, 
came one hundred and fifty miles to get thia 
treatment of me, and in three months after- 
wards he informed me that he had since sold a 
mare for fifteen hundred dollars which he had 
bought for three hundred and seventy-five dol- 
lars. She would break when in the least ex- 
cited, and could be made nothing of, though a 
fast stepper. He bought her, made the exper- 
iment, and in less than a month had her down 
line, and could hold her under the whip regard- 
less of yelling and the excitement of competing 
horses. This gentlemen informed me he then 
had a horse that promised equally good results 
by this treatment. * 

* To make this and use : Have made first four 
straps long enough to go around th0 hind \eg9 



m 

above the hocks, and from three-quarterH to 
an inch wide. Find next two D'b or rin^s, in 
size to admit two each of these HtrapH to be 
run through. Step in front of each hind leg 
and buckle thewe strapfl around the leg, one 
above and one below the gambrel, the ring or 
I) in front, bringing the Htraps to an acute 
angle. Put on the head a light well fitting 
halter. Attach a strap to this, which must be 
in part double to regulate the angle, which 
must be long enough to extend from the head 
to the back edge of the girt. On the end is to 
be attached a small, nice, easy running pulley, 
fitted to run a half inch cord. The strap is to 
pass back from the halter, between the legs, over 
the bellyband, just back of which must come this 
pulley. Find next a piece of firm, hard cotton 
or hemp cord, from three-eighths to half an inch 
in size. Run it through the pulley to the center, 
and tie the ends into tlie ])'b or rings attached to 
the hind legs; the whole to be so regulated in 
length that the horse can walk or trot easily. 
One leg going forward to the degree that the 
opposite one goes back, bringing no restraint 
on the cord or head, but the instant both feet 
go back as in the act of running, the cord is 
shortened, the head is drawn back, and the 
horse is taught that he is helpless. He soon 
learns this and becomes afraid to break, though 
subjected to any reasonable excitement. — 
With this *'rig" on, move the horse on a walk 
until accustomed to it, which will usually re- 
quire but a very short time. Then let out on 
a moderate trot, and when thoroughly accus- 
tomed to it pushing to a fast gait. This must 
be repeated. Irv fact this arrangement should 
be kept on until the horse is made reliant. 



100 

Should be driven and thoroughly practiced 
with other horses, and excitement made as if 
in a race. Of course all this requires ingenuity, 
patience and care. 

This will work best on some horses by 
attaching to the collar, or around the neck. 
The restraint is simply more positive by this 
chano:e. There should be o;ood understandino^ 
with the horse, as this will prevent much ner- 
vousness and excitement. Hence there must 
be care in using the whip, or in punishing. The 
horse must be made to understand, by motions, 
actions and language, exactly what he is re- 
quired to do ; and in order to inspire his confi- 
dence, and obey readily, there must be care in 
not saying or doing anything that will confuse 
or excite. All needless jerking, whipping and 
yelling, must be guarded against, unless so far 
as it is desio;ued to familiarize to noise and 
excitement. I saw a man driving a pair of 
oxen lately, who screeched at the top of his 
voice, "gee, haw, there," and whipped at the 
same time. Here was confused contradiction. 
The best intellect in the world could not obey 
such a command, and the best trained oxen 
would be confused by such senseless driving. 
Horses cannot understand language only as 
taught, and the}^ cannot do but one thing at a 
time. Let the commands be dictated by judg- 
ment, at least with some show of patience and 
reason. To fit a horse for a race requires ex- 
perience and skill, that can only be acquired 
by years of practice and experience. The 
better to give an understanding of the neces- 
sary routine for this purpose, I annex the treat- 
ment practiced by racing owni3rs, as given by 
the celebrated trotting trainer, Hiram Wood- 
ruff, lately published in Wilkes' SpiiHt 



101 

For the first week or ten clays there is to be 
no fast work at all; but at the expiration of 
that time the muscles and tendons ought to be 
seasoned enough to justify the trainer in 
indulging the horse with slight spurts. In 
these he may be permitted to move along 
lively without overtaxing his powers or his 
wind. 'No rule can be given as to their length. 
The only thing to be said is, that they ought 
not to be very frequent, and never long. The 
judgment of the trainer should enable him to 
determine how frequent they may be, and to 
what distance he may venture to send him with- 
out danger of overdoing the thing. It must be 
remembered that at this early stage of his 
preparation the horse can bear very little, com- 
pared with that which he will endure with ease, 
and which may be undertaken with impunity 
when his condition has become forward. It is 
a rule with some to adminster physic before the 
work of the horse is commenced, but I have 
never been able to perceive the wisdom of such 
a course. It is supposed that if the horse has 
been wintered well, the secretions will be mode- 
rately active, and the bowels regular when the 
time to commence work comes. In such a case 
there is no necessity for physicing. It may be 
apparent that some medicine may be required to 
abate internal heat and humours, or if the 
horse is gross and fleshy, from being overfed 
while standing still. In such cases a mild dose 
of medicine may be given with advantage. In 
such cases I prefer to jog for a few days, then 
let up and give a mild dose of medicine. 
Work is not to be resumed until the effects of 
the medicine has passed off, and then it is to be 
carried on the same as if there was no necessity 



102 

for it. While this part of the preparation is in 
progress the feed may be increased, though not 
up to the extent that will be requisite when 
the work is made longer and sharper. He may 
have during this first part of the preparation 
from eight to ten quarts of oats a day, accord- 
ing to his capacity as a feeder, and the demands 
made upon him by nature, for supply of strong 
food under work. As the oats are increased 
the horse will want less hay, but may still have 
all that he will eat up clean. After taking his 
feed of oats, he will not consume as much hay 
in general ; but some horses are such gluttons 
that it is necessary to limit them as to hay 
almost from the tirst. There are even some 
who will eat the straw of their bedding when 
they have had all the grain and hay that ought 
to be fed to them ; and with these it sometimes 
becomes necessary to put on the muzzle long 
before the time for the race. No carrots are 
now to be given. While the jogging and after 
preparation are going on, a bran mash now and 
then will be proper. About once a week will be 
often enough and not too often. This will be 
indicated by the condition of the horse's 
bowels. If the bowels are relaxed the necessity 
for a bran mash is not indicated. If of a light 
washy order, not having much bottom when 
put into sharp training work, mashes are to be 
given more sparingly than to those of the 
opposite character. 

After the week or ten days of moderate trot- 
ing, by which the muscles and tendons will be 
hardened and the wind improved, the horse 
may be pushed along at half speed ; and he 
may be started up and moved at three-quarters 
speed for about half a mile. This brush of 



103 

half a mile at three-quarters speed may be in- 
creased if the horse feels fine and improves 
under his work. The next step will be as soon 
as you perceive that he stands up well to his 
work, comes out cheerfully, and takes it with a 
relish, to brush him along at a speed for a quar- 
ter of a mile, or even half a mile, to the degree 
that he will bear. He is not of course to be 
forced iu pace up to the extrerae of what he ig 
capable in a race. 

Care is also to be taken that natural ardor 
and willingness, are not suffered to carry the 
animal to any extreme of exertion. High 
strung horses are apt to want to do more work 
and to do it faster, than is good for them. This 
frequently misleads inexperienced persons, who 
seeing them ambitious, let them out loose, 
imagining that it can do no harm. Such horses 
require to be watched carefully and taken in 
hand, for their natural eagerness to perform 
is not often accompanied with power to keep 
on, and stand up under a severe preparation at 
such a rate. 

On the other hand, there are others lazily 
inclined, but requiring a great deal of work to 
make them fit. These are commonly able to 
bear as much as it is deemed necessary to give 
them, and they must be wakened up from time 
to time, so as to get them down to work. So 
the training goes on. The improvement in 
condition is to be watched and noted, to deter- 
mine when it will be safe to give the fisrt trial. 
No rule can be laid down as to the amount of 
work the horse ought to have before the trial 
may be ventured on. His condition as he ap- 
pears while at work, and during and after his 
speedy brushes, is to be the guide by which the 
judgment in the matter must be directed. 



U)4 

During the fast work preparatory to the trial, 
the horse shouUl be put upon his largest allow- 
ance of strong food. Some will not eat more 
than eight or ten quarts of oats a day, and it is 
necessary to be careful that these lii^fht feeders 
are not over-worked. Twelve or thirteen quart* 
is about what a gooil feeder ought to have. 
Some will eat sixteen quarts of oats a day, but 
this is in mv iudo'iuent more than should be 
given, as when a liberal quantity of food is 
given, there must be very active work to keep 
the flesh down, and get rid of those supertlui- 
ties, inside and outside, which experience has 
shown must be eliminated before the horse rs 
capable of his best achievements. 

If it were a mere question of health and 
vigor, we might say the more oats the horse eats,, 
the more work he can do with impunity, and 
the better liis condition will be on the day of 
the race ; but it is not a mere questions of bodily 
health and vigor, for the extra amount of work 
made necessary to get otf the etfects of the 
extravagant quantity of food consumed, and 
keep the horse only in proper flesh at the same 
time, imposes a great task upon the legs, which 
are commonly the tirst part that gives way in 
the horse when the work is made fast and 
severe. Unless there is something peculiar in 
the animal and the circumstances of the ease, 
thirteen quarts a day will be found suflicient. 

During the preparation which precedes the 
first, it will be found necessary to give the 
horse one or two sweats. Whether it ought to 
be one or two must be indicated bv the oondi- 



105 

tion and nature of the animal, the races in 
which he is engaged, and determined by the 
judgment. The amount of clothes in which 
he shall be sweated must be determined also 
by the judgment of the trainer. Some may 
require a blanket, and a hood, and a wrapper 
around the neck, to start the prespiration 
out of them ; while there are others that 
will sweat freely with but little clothes, and 
scrape well when more have been thrown on at 
the end of the jog. «. One thing may certainly 
be said, that a sweat obtained without the use 
of heavy clothing is more satisfactory, and 
better than one with it, provided the latter 
method does not include a good deal more work 
to get the sweat. Only a moderate quantity ol 
clothing and little work, while the horse is go- 
ing, are the best for a sweat, if a good scrape 
can thus be obtained. 

When the horse comes from the drive and 
is taken out of the wagon, he will soon be 
ready to scrape. That done he must be blank- 
eted up again and walked about, out of the 
draft. A favorable day for a sweat ought to be 
taken advantage of as a matter of course. 
Another light scrape may be had after some, 
time spent in walking in the blankets ; but if 
the prespiration does not continue so as to give 
this second scrape, it is not to be forced by 
njore work in the clothes. To be of use in 
itself, and as a satisfactory indication that the 
condition of the horse is advanced, it must 

come of itself. Durinc: the time this sweating^ 

1 • • • 

and scraping process is in course of operation, 

there should be uq hurriedness. It usually is 

easy enough to get the sweat and scrape, but 

more difficult to cool the horse out properly, 

5* 



106 

In order to do this well, he is to be clothed 
iigain, and led very gently about for sorae time, 
so that he may become cool gradually, and the 
prespiration may dry slowly. This walking is 
to be out of all draft as much as possible ; 
and it will not do to hurry it over and go 
to the stable, until the horse has cooled off 
well. When the proper state has been reached, 
the horse is to be taken into the stable and his 
body to be well dressed. This done, he is to be 
unclothed and again led into the air. A few 
swallows of gruel made of Indian meal or fine 
shorts, from half a pint to pint of meal stirred 
into a bucket of water, may now be given to 
the horse, or water with the chill taken off may 
be given as a substitute. When taken into the 
stable again, which will be after a little more 
walking, the legs are to be put in tubs of warm 
water, the body clothing being kept on. The 
legs are then to be well washed with water and 
castile soap, and when dried off to be bandaged. 
These bandages should be of light flannel, and 
they must not be put on tight so as to impede 
circulation. A moderate degree of tightness 
only is admissible. 

When all is done, and the horse is nicely 
cooled off, he may have a good scald mash, and 
less hay than on other occasions, for the night. 
On the morning after the sweat, the horse 
ought to feel limber and in good spirits. In 
his jogging, which may be of two or three 
miles, as you may judge him to need, he may 
have a couple of brushes, of a quarter of a 
mile each, at nearly or quite full speed. When 
horses have been well sweated, and have got 
well cooled out of it, they are ambitious, and 
feel like going fast with ease ; and will let out 



107 

with, more energy thaa tkey have at any othef 
time during the preparation. 

After the horse has had the sweat, as before 
di-rected, the regular work is to be resumed 
and carried on as before, and the feed is to be 
the same as it was before. It must be borne in 
mind that the object of the sweat is to loosen 
the flesh, and remove the fat and other super- 
fluities, which add nothing to the horse's 
strength, impede his wind, and make so much 
more weight for him to carry in training and 
in his races. On the other hand, the regular 
work is not to take away the sustenance, but to 
increase the volume of muscle, harden its con- 
sistency, and increase its elasticity and strength. 
Thus the sweats merely reduce, while the reg- 
ular work reduces the soft parts to some extent, 
of itself, but builds up and developes the 
moving powers. It follows that when the horse 
in hand is of a weak and soft habit, great care 
must be taken, that he is not sweated too much 
in clothes ; for if he is, he will shrink in the 
course of work, and become thin and dry after 
one or two races. If the time of training 
could be extended, and there is no danger to 
the legs and constitution in making the work 
severe, the sweats might be dispensed with 
almost, or quite altogether. But this is not the 
case, and therefore the sweat in clothes is re- 
sorted to, in order to get rid of the superflui- 
ties more rapidly and with less risk to the legs, 
than the regular work would do. 

Where the horse is of good constitution but 
infirm in his legs, there must be more sweating 
in clothes, and less work without them, than in 
other cases. In five or six days after the sweat, 
the horse should be ready to stand a half mile 



108 

trial. Unless something has gone wrong, he 
ought to be fit to go that distance under the 
watch, and thus afford a certain indication as 
to his speed and advance towards racing condi- 
tion. It will not be necessary to muzzle him 
over night for this short trial, unless he is a 
rank feeder. His oats are not to be reduced in 
quantity, and he may have his usual allowance 
.of hay, unless he has been accustomed to eat a 
great deal. His morning feed before the trial, 
may be a little less than usual, and the water 
to correspond. The half mile trial being found 
satisfactory, the work will be carried oi\^ as 
before. Let him jog till he has emptied him- 
self, then move him at three-quarters speed, 
with sharp and lively brushes, to make him 
square away and get up to his best rate. The 
amount of work must be guaged by the judg- 
ment and skill of the trainer, in view of how 
the horse goes on and improves, and of his 
known breed and character. 

It is quite certain that the the thorough bred 
will improve under an amount of work that 
would ruin a coarse bred horse. -Therefore it 
is to be expected that a well bred' trotter will 
take more work with advantage, provided his 
legs stand, than one of a poorer grade of blood. 
Until the horse has been trained, 4t is impos- 
sible to say what he may bear, and what is 
required, to bring him quite fit on the day that 
he is to trot for money. Therefore it is neces- 
sary to be vigilant as the work goes on from 
day to day, and if the slightest symptoms 
appear to indicate that the limit has been 
reached, the horse must be eased. "• 

In five or six days after the first trial, the 
horse will be fit to be tried a m^le if he has 
.:fl liar: b^ei *>d inuotis 



109 

been doing well. It being found that he is all 
right, this will do for a mile race. Even if the 
race is two miles and repeat, it will sometimes 
be best to avoid further trial. It depends upon 
the condition and character of the horse, and 
the state of his legs and feet. If he is known 
to be a stout one, and his legs are all right, 
another trial may be had prior to the two mile 
race, and in this the horse may be repeated. 
But if the speed is there and the condition is 
good, it will be safest not to hazard more trial. 
When the horse has appeared in his first race, 
and shown speed looked for, and given evi- 
dence of good condition, he is not to be treated 
exactly as before in getting ready for the next. 
His work is now to be reduced; for if he is 
kept at it just as he was before his engagement, 
he is almost certain to lose speed. 

Should the race for which the horse is in 
preparation be three mile heats, the work must 
be longer and not so sharp as for mile heats, 
three in five, and two mile heats. The lasting 
qualites are to be developed by more jogging, 
and not so many spurts of speed in comparison. 
More time should be taken also for a three 
mile race, than for mile heats three in ^ve, 
unless there is a shorter engagement. About 
three weeks before the race is to come off he 
may have his first trial, which will be a mile, 
^he mile trial having been satisfactory, the 
work is to go on as before, and in about ten 
days the horse will be ready for his final trial. 

In getting ready for this his hay and water 
over night may be reduced a little, and the 
muzzle put on. The full allowance of oats is 
to be given. At the actual trial commence 
with a mile, at good speed. At the end of it 



110 

blanket up and scrape, and walk about for half 
an hour. Then repeat two miles out. If in 
this the horse does well, shows speed and fresh- 
ness, and finishes with energy, he is in condi- 
tion, and capable of making the race. The 
trials are never to be as long as the race for 
which the horse is being trained. In the three 
mile preparation there will be walking exercises 
five or six miles a day, and three or four of 
driving, with spurts of speed. From the time 
of the final trial to the race, the work should 
be the same as it was before, unless the wisdom 
of a change is indicated by what took place iu 
the trial. If in that performance the horse 
showed plenty of speed, but pulled up dis- 
tressed at the end of two miles of repeat, it 
would be evidence that he is not up to the mark 
in condition, and the work should be increased. 
In any case it will be of great importance to 
have the wind clear for the race, and four or 
five days prior to that event, the horse should 
a light — a jog with a hood and wrapper, so as 
to get a nice scrape, is all that will be required. 
The cooling out to be as before directed. 

Breeding. 

One of the primary points of success is to 
start right, and in no respect is this more essen- 
tial than in breeding. The law of like pro- 
ducing like is inexorable ; consequently it is 
seen that to raise good horses, good horses 
must be bred from. Many farmers who are 
otherwise keenly alive to their interest, are 
singularly thoughtless and imprudent in this. 
If a mare is broken down and unfit for labor, 
uo matter how coarse, badly formed, or what the 



Ill 

evidence of constitutional unsoundness, she is 
reserved to breed from. Again, the cheapest 
horse, no matter how coarse if sleek and fat, 
is selected and employed to cross with. The 
most ignorant farmer is particular to select the 
largest and soundest potatoes, the cleanest 
wheat and oats, for seed, &c. He has learned 
this is true economy. Yet there seems to be 
the most utter disregard of this law of pru- 
dence in the breeding of horses and farm stock 
in general. During my long experience before 
the public, I have endeavored to impress upon 
farmers, when I could, that this sort of econ- 
omy is like paying a quarter for a chicken, and 
paying a dollar to take it home. 

It costs just as much to raise a poor, coarse 
blooded colt, as a fine blooded one. The cost 
of feeding and care is really the same, the only 
difference in cost being in that of the use of 
the horse. The first will possibly sell when five 
years old and trained to harness, for from a hun- 
dred to a hundred and fifty dollars. The other 
is worth from three hundred to a thousand, and 
possibly more. The first will scarcely sell for 
the cost of feeding and care. The second en- 
sures a large profit, and this for a little addi- 
tional first cost. And then the satisfaction of 
having fine valuable animals, that can go along 
if necessary, able to do any kind of work 
easily, and saleable for a large price, is a source 
of no ordinary pleasure and encouragement, if 
from no other feeling than that of contributing 
so largely to increased economy and wealth. 

The fact is, breeding from poor unsound 
horses is so much a detriment, that it would be 
a damage to any one to be compelled to breed 
from such stock, if given for the purpose. If 



ill! 

yon wish to raise horses, select good sized, well 
formed, sound, fine blooded, good stepping and 
good colored mares, even though at an extra 
cost. The stallion should be free from all taint 
of hereditary disease. Spavin, ringbone, splints, 
poll evil, heaves, broken wind, contraction of 
the feet, weak eyes or blindness, are more or 
less constitutional ; consequently there will be 
predisposition to such. Strong circulation and 
constitutional vigor should be undoubted. This 
is of course in a general sense. To be partic- 
ular requires first, intention as to purpose for 
which intended. If heavy draft horses, evenly 
trotting roadsters, or ponies, select both dam and 
sire with special reference to the kind of stock 
wanted. If the mare is light boned or defective, 
select a heavier boned horse, or that possesses 
the contrast of greater strength or better points 
in that respect. But to ensure much certainty 
of what you would have, the mare and horse 
should be as nearly the type as possible, though 
not related. I would be very particular about 
disposition and intelligence. The head should 
be broad between the eyes, muzzle small, short 
or middling short from eyes to ears. The 
smaller and rounder the eyes, the more positive 
will be the temper. To have a horse sensitive, 
intelligent, courageous, and naturally docile, 
there must be large brain, the eye must be 
large, sticking well out, and mild in expression. 

Of course it is understood bad treatment 

WILL SPOIL THE BEST TEMPERED' HORSES, AND GOOD 
TREATMENT WILL MAKE GOOD SAFE ANIMALS OF 
THE WORST. 



/ 



I 



113 



The Mare. 

The mare is said to go with foal eleven 
months or three hundred days ; but it is not un- 
common for mares to have fully developed foals 
in much less time, and in many instances mares 
have been known to go four or five weeks be- 
yond this time. Time should be so arranged 
in putting mares, that the colts would come at 
a time when there is some grass, as the mare 
will do better not to be confined to dry feed. 
The virgin mare, or one that has not had a colt, 
for one season, should be put when she is found 
in season. The mare that has had a colt will 
be found in season, and should be put on the 
eighth or ninth day aftef foaling ; some prefer 
the eighth, others the eleventh. Good judges 
claim that it is dangerous to go beyond the 
tenth, as the mare is apt to come ofi:' her 
heat soon after, and if allowed to go to a later 
period, the sucking of the colt is likely to 
reduce the mare too much to allow conception 
to take place, and thus a year's service of the 
breeder is lost. 

After putting a mare the days for trial are 
the ninth after the service, the seventh after 
this, the fifth after this again. Some com- 
mence again, commencing with the ninth day 
and follow up as before, making forty-two days. 
Twenty-one days being the period elapsing be- 
tween a mare's going out of heat, and coming 
in again, making her periodical term thirty 
days. Twenty-one days is claimed to be sufii- 
cient to prove a mare. 

After conception, the mare if allowed to go 
free will stand by a fence or tree in a partially 
dormant position until after the heat passes 



114 

oftl If at this time she is overworked or 
scared, she will be likely to cast the couceptioii, 
aud will require to be served again. 

After the mare has been a few weeks with 
foal, moderate work will not only do no injury, 
but will be of service- to her, but at no time 
when she is with foal must she be placed in a 
situation where she will be at all likel}^ to re- 
ceive severe jolts, kicks, or any other violence. 
Another great preventative to conception, is 
turning mares out with string proud or badly 
castrated horses, as they are a cause of positive 
annoyance to them, and must not be allowed, 
as such annoyance greatly endangers the cer- 
tainty of conception. 

A fine mare was put to a horse, she was 
proved on the regular trial day, and showed all 
the signs of conception. Three weeks after 
being served she stood quietly by a fence, and 
the owner coming up, thinking her sick, started 
her suddenly. The fright so shocked her ner- 
vous system that she sickened, lay down and 
cast the embryo. Another in the same neigh- 
borhood aborted by a horse teasing her. 

A gentleman who had put a mare that had 
bred several colts, but at this time and also the 
year following, she was grazed in a pasture 
adjoining one in which a string proud horse was 
kept. She was teased by him. The conse- 
quence was she had no colts for two years. 
The cause of mischief was finally mistrusted, 
the mare was put in another field away from 
the horse, and she did not fail to breed after 
wards. 

It is a well known fact also, that if a mare is 
near food she likes, and is denied being given 
some of it, there is danger of abortion being pro- 



115 

duced. I might enumerate a great maay cases 
illustrative of the bad effects of causes in 
themselves slight, to produce abortion. Much 
care is necessary. Persons owning mares that 
have failed to conceive, should be unusually 
cautious, as mares having aborted once, are pre- 
disposed to do so sometimes by the most trifl- 
ing causes. 

It is a noticeable fact also, that subjecting 
the mare to abuse, or great fear from any cause, 
eft'octs the character of the colt powerfully. 

Calling the attention of a class lately to these 
causes of mischief, one of the gentlemen cor- 
roborated my assertions by making the follow- 
ing statement : He and a neighboring farmer 
owned two cows. His was extremely wild and 
intractable ; the other was very gentle. The 
informant said he treated his cow with care 
and kindness. The man owning the gentle 
cow was in the habit of making his dog drive 
her up to milk, the dog causing her to run and 
be much excited. The cows had fine bull 
calves. The owner of the wild cow bought the 
calf of the other, and in time broke them to 
work, and he said that the barking of a dog or 
any noise, would make the steer he bought act 
wild and foolish ; that he was naturally wild 
and untamable, while the other he raised him- 
self, from the wildest animal, was as gentle as 
any steer. 

i could refer to many interesting instances of 
colts showing the marked effects of abuse and 
excitement on the mother. This is not to be 
wondered at, since it is seen that the brain con- 
trols and regulates the action of the developing 
brain and nervous system of the foetus or 
colt. Such causes should be carefully guarded 



116 

A stallion of a known vicious character, 
should not be bred from. The horse should 
be in vigorous health, and this imples that he 
has been subjected to moderate but regular 
exercise, during the season. A horse however, 
that is driven and hurried from place to place, 
over-heated perhaps, and made to cover from 
three to seven mares, should be regarded as 
unsafe. They are not sure, and the progeny of 
such are liable to lack vitality. 

After the colt comes, the mare should be 
allowed to stand idle for three or four weeks, 
until she gets her milk and has time to regain 
her strength ; and the foal also requires time to 
acquire strength. It is injurious for the colt to 
run with the dam on hard roads, to an extent 
at least that would strain or exhaust. Above 
all other times in the life of the horse, at this 
period, and during the first winter, bad treat- 
ment is most injurious. The mare and colt 
should be well fed, and protected from storms. 
The theory of working a mare hard, and half 
starving the colt, is the poorest kind of econ- 
omy, since the mare needs generous feed and 
rest, to renew her strength and make her milk, 
by which of course the colt is nourished and 
made to grow. When size and strength will 
indicate that it is time to wean, which is usually 
in five or six months, put the colt in a quiet 
pasture, awaj^ from the mare, where it should 
be closely looked after. A little oats, (better if 
bruised,) should be given daily. 

The conclusion of careful breeders is, that it 
is much better for a colt to run in pasture, than 
to be confined in a stable. If the colt is in- 
tended for farm use, castration may be per- 
formed when six months old ; if however, the 



117 

withers are light, it should be postponed until 
the head and neck fills up to the degree re- 
quired, and this may require from one to two 
years, or even more. If the head is large and 
heavy, early castration is advisable. Colts 
should be generously fed, and protected from 
the inclemency of the weather in winter. They 
should be treated gently. May be broken early 
to harness, if treated gently and with care. 
This however is hazardous, as there is danger 
of over driving young colts if they are driven 
at all. Many seem to take pride in trials to 
which they subject two or three 3^ear old colts. 
It is not what they can do, but what they ought 
to be required to do. 

To become well posted on this interesting 
subject, the reader should get the works of dif- 
ferent authors. A little money employed for 
books on this as well as kindred subjects, will 
be found to be wisely used, but they should be 
read carefully. The limit of my space, even if 
I felt competent to develop this subject, will 
not admit of more than a few general remarks. 

stable. 

The cost of a properly constructed well-ven- 
tilated stable, is but little if any more than is 
necessary for a poorly constructed one. My 
observation in traveling during the past eight 
years, caring for my horses in different stables 
almost daily during this time, extending over 
nearly twenty states, has revealed to me both 
unpardonable ignorance and carelessness, in 
the arrangement and construction of stables. 
This is especially noticeable in the Middle 
States, and partake? of the economy illustrated 



118 

in the majority of dwelling houses. They may 
look well outside, and may be even strongly 
and expensively constructed, but without scarce- 
ly any regard to ventilation. Small rooms after 
being used to sleep in, are arranged for use by 
simply adjusting the clothes on the bed, shut- 
ting down the windows if open, (which is 
usually but seldom,) the door is closed and 
suffered to be so till again occupied. The com- 
monly used feather bed soon becomes fetid, 
often so musty as to be strongly noticeable to 
the feelings on the instant of entering the room. 
The air is contaminated with this and other ani- 
mal effluvia ; there is no circulation, the window 
is usually fast, or if opened exposes to a draught 
of air still more dangerous to health. Wealth, 
the pride of intelligence, and beauty, fade into 
insignificance, when pained with the prostra- 
tion of a nervous head from such a cause. 

This is a fault that should be carefully 
guarded against in construction, by making 
ventilators over the doors, and admitting of the 
windows being raised or lowered, and certainly 
every reasonably intelligent housekeeper should 
see that beds and rooms are thoroughly ventil- 
ated, after being used. 

Precisely so in theory is the arrangement of 
the stable. It is usually a closed box over a 
cellar perhaps half filled with water and ma- 
nure, that throws upward through the floor a 
deadly miasma, that lays the foundation of dis- 
ease. A large rack is crammed with hay, the 
dust and dirt of which is forced against the 
horse's nose. The manger is half filled with 
filth and trash. The bedding, thoroughly im- 
pregnated with amonia, is rolled under the 
manger in the morning, to paturate and poison 



119 

everything above it; and here the horse is 
compelled to stand and feed, constantly breath- 
ing upon this mass of hay, with amonia usually 
strong enough to make the eyes smart in half 
a minute, continually evaporating and poison- 
ing the air. 

Bear in mind that I have no selfish object in 
view, more than that of pointing to defects it is 
true economy to correct, and it is my highest 
duty to bring to the attention of all entitled 
to my services. 

A stable should be large, well ventilated, but 
warm and well lighted. The stalls should be 
at least five feet wide for work horses, and if 
tine horses that are worked but little, they 
should be large enough to enable stepping 
around freely. If there is room, a box stall is 
the best, but it should not be close. The door 
at least should be made of slats, and a window 
above the head, so arranged that it can be 
thrown open, to give light and ventilation. 
The door should be large, to preclude injury 
by striking the sides or hips against the posts, 
and there should be a reasonably large yard, 
which should be well fenced. If a manger and 
rack of the common form across the stall is 
used, I would suggest an improvement. 

First, the manger should be so constructed 
that the horse cannot waste the feed while eat- 
ing, yet should not be ver}'^ high, (the top about 
three and a half or four feet from the floor.) 

Second, the rack should not slope out over 
the manger and horse's head, which makes it 
not only difficult for the horse to pull the hay 
out, but causes seed and dirt to fall into his 
eyes and mane, and the dust to be brought to 
the nose and inhnled. The front of the rack 



120 

should be upright or purpeudicular, and the 
back so inclined that the hay will all the time 
be in the horse's reach. The bottom should be 
open like the front, so that the dust can drop 
through to the floor. 

The best form of manger I have seen, both 
for convenience, safety and health, are those so 
constructed that there is an alley in front of 
the head. The place for hay is a sort of box, 
on one side of which is a feed box, which 
should be large enough to prevent throwing 
the feed out while eating. The hitching ring 
should be on the off or farther side, to prevent 
the strap being caught by the foot. The 
manger should be about on a level wdth the 
shoulders. The nearer the horse is made to 
imitate his position when eating in the field 
the better. But this is not admissible in the 
construction of the manger, since the horse 
would waste the feed. This form of feeding 
box and manger is cleaner. There is not that 
temptation to give more hay at a time than the 
horse may need. The manger can be reached 
easily and safely ; in feeding the hay is easily 
thrown upon the floor, where it can be easily 
shook up and thrown fresh and palatable to the 
horse. It obviates the usual temptation of a 
receptacle under the manger, in which to pack 
during the day a lot of poisonous bedding, and 
finally, there is the best of ventilation, as the 
air can freely circulate in front of the manger. 
Everj^ stable should have a sort of chimney, or 
opening on the top, to allow of the bad air to 
pass out freely. The windows should be so 
placed as to admit light enough, that the ordi- 
nary work of the stable can be done without 
opening the doors, which should have shutters 



121 

to enable darkenuig* the stable if Jiecessary, 
when flies are troublesome, or to permit sleep 
in the clay time, which is often necessary, and 
finally, the walls, if any, in front of the horses, 
should not be, as is often done, whitewashed a 
pure white, as it injures the eyes. The color 
should be made neutral by adding something 
brown or dark. 

Cellar stables or those that are underground, 
admit of so little light and ventilation that they 
are not safe, and should be discarded. The 
wisdom of doing so may become more appar- 
ent after losing one or two horses with some 
form of acute inflammation. 

Feeding. 

Hay, corn fodder, oats and corn, constitute 
the principal food of horses in this country. 
Hay and oats in the Northern States, fodder 
and corn in the South. The food should be in 
quality and quantity' to impart strength, vitality 
and elasticity, and this requires some discrimi- 
nation and care, as the food should be harmo- 
nized both to the condition, and the severity of 
the labor to which the horse is subjected. As 
a rule, the stomach should not be distended 
with food when prolonged, energetic eflfort is 
necessary, as the heart and lungs would there- 
by be much impeded in their action, and con- 
gestion and raj3turing of or enlarging of the 
air cells of the lungs may result. This is to be 
especially guarded against in the feeding of 
hay. Greedy eaters can and will gorge them- 
selves by eating so much hay as to be unfit for 
active labor, and is usually shown to result in 
heaves or broken wind. Heaves are always 



122 

found in the teamsters' or carters' stables, 
where there is no care in feeding. The disease 
is always found among horses of the above 
class, but never found among racing horses, 
from the fact that the utmost prudence and care 
is used in selecting the food, and feeding in 
smaller quantities, or in making the relation 
more perfect to the wants of the system. 

It has been demonstrated beyond doubt that 
the reason horses improve so much in wind by 
eating prairie ha}" is, that it is so coarse that 
horses cannot eat it fast enousrh to over- 
load the stomach. The quantity of hay should 
be carefully regulated, and never as much given 
as the horse will eat if at all voracious. The 
majority of owners pack a large rack full, 
allowing either libertj" to eat too much, or 
making it upalatable and unhealthy, by being 
breathed upon. Frcm eight to ten pounds is 
about the average quantity for an ordinary 
roadster to be allowed in twenty-four hours, 
more or less, according to size, the kind of 
work, and the quantity of grain given. Dusty 
or mouldy hay should not be fed, as it is liable 
to produce various forms of disease. 

AH food should be clean, and in quality per- 
fect. Hay is most perfect when it is about a 
year old. Horses would perhaps prefer earlier, 
but it is neither so wholesome nor so nutritious, 
and may purge. When it is a year old it should 
retain much of its green color and agreeable 
smell.* The blades of corn pulled and cured 



*■ Note 1. — In packing or stacking hay, salt should be 
slightly sprinkled through it so as to destroy insects. It also 
aids in preserving it bright, and makes it more palatable and 
li^alth^ for the horse. 



128 

in the summer are unquestionably much better 
than hay. I should certainly prefer this kind 
of fodder to any kind of hay, for fine horses. 
It is strange that it is not prized more highly 
North. 

Oats make more muscle than corn. Corn 
makes fat and warmth. Hence, the colder the 
weather, the more corn may be given, and the 
harder the work, the more oats. Oats should 
be a year old, heavy, dry and svveet. ]N"ew oats 
will weigh from ten to fifteen per cent, more 
than old ones ; but the diti:erence is principally 
water. New oats are said to be more difficult 
to digest, and when in considerable quantity 
are apt to cause flatulency and derangement 
of the stomach and bowels. The same may 
be said of corn. If not sound and dry, it may 
be regarded even much more dangerous than 
oats, and should not be fed. Doing so will be 
at tlie hazard of the consequences above named. 

The quantity of oats given daily may vary 
from eight to sixteen quarts. If the horse 
is large, and the work is severe, a little more 
may be given. Experience proves that some 
mildly cooling laxative food should be occa- 
sionally given. Corn should be fed in the ear, 
and like oats must be regulated in quantity to 
the size and labor of the animal ; from five to 
twelve good sized ears are a feed. I give ^ 
larger proportion of feed at night, and less in 
the morning and noon. There is ample time 
for digestion during the night. There is not 
during the day, if the Tabor is severe. A bran 
mash, made by pouring boiling water on eight 
or ten quarts of wheat bran, covered over until 
cool and fed at night, from once to three time^ 
a week, 19 th^ finest and best. 



124 

Carrots are a i^ood laxitivo and alterative 
before frost, but are too cold and constipating- 
during cold weather. Thev niav be fed in 
Oo.ober, ^'ovember and December, but in the 
Kortliern States not later, [I am governed by 
the iudirment of one the best veterinary sur- 
geons in the United States, based upon careful 
and critical observation of elfects on a largo 
number of horses, on this point.) I feed Irish 
potatoes, from oi\e to three quarts, with the 
usual (.quantity of grain, from two to three or 
four times a week, and would recommend their 
use. Think their value cannot be over esti- 
mated. FeediuiT a small quantity of roots and 
giving bran mashes, keep the bowels open and 
the system in a uniform, healthy condition. 
Without them constipation is possible, and this 
is one of the primary causes of darrhiva, colic, 
or inllammation of tlie bowels. If it is desired 
to make a horse fat in a short time, feed corn 
meal and shorts, with cut straw, to which add 
a. pnnt of cheap molasses. A'^othing like this 
lor recruiting and tilling up a horse that is out 
of sorts or poor. If the horse eats too last, put 
a few round stones in the feed box. lie must 
now pick the food from among the stones, and 
thus be compelled to eat slowly. 

If the horse is exhausted, or when sufficient 
Jjme cannot be allowed for him to eat and par- 
tially digest a full meal, he may be greatly 
refreshed by a draui2:ht of warm o-niel, or in 
summer of cold water containing a small quan- 
titv of meal. To o-ive ^ome idea of the routine 
of feeding and watering when great care la 
necessary, I include the system of feeding and 
watering Mr. Bonner's famous trotting horse, 
Dexter. 



125 

"At six every uu)vuiu<f, Dexter has all the 
water he wants, and two quarts of oats. After 
eatiri;^, he is * walked' for half an hour or 
more, then cleaned off* and at nine has two 
quarts more of oats. If no drive is on the card 
for afternoon, lie is given a lialf to three- 
quarters of an liour of gentle exercise. At one 
o'clock iie lias oats again, as hefore, limited to 
two quarts. 

''From three to four, he is driven twelve to 
fifteen miles; after which he is cleaned off and 
rubhed thoroughly dry. 

*' He has a bare swallow of water on return 
from drive, but is allowed free access to his 
only feed of hay, of whicli he consumes from 
five to six pounds. 

"If the drive has been a particularly sharp 
one, lie is treated as soon as lie gets in, to a 
quart or two of oat meal gruel ; and when thor- 
oughly cooled, has half a pail of water and 
three quants of oats, with two quarts of bran 
moistened with hot water. 

" Before any specially hard day's work or trial 
of his speed, his allowance of water is still 
more reduced." 

When the colt is weaned, which is usually 
when from four to six months old, he should be 
put in a l>ack lot, out of sight of the mare. 
Should be carefully looked after during the fall 
and winter. There is no period of a horse's 
life that repays generous feeding and care so 
well as this of the first winter. lie should have 
a good warm yard, on the south side of the 
barn, to run in during pleasant v/eather, and a 



126 

roomy box stall at night and during inclement ' 
periods. The feed should be good, bright hay, 
and plenty of it, two or three quarts of carrots 
or potatoes, to which from a pint to a quart of 
oats, should be given daily. All successful 
breeders of good horses are specially careful 
during the first fall and winter to protect colts 
from inclemency and feed generously. 

Watering:. 

If a large quantity of cold water is taken 
into the stomach while the system is excited 
and sensative, by the circulation being so in- 
creased as to open the pores of the skin freely, 
it is liable to so chill the stomach as to derange 
the circulation and close the pores of the skin, 
and thus excite some one of the common ali- 
mentary derangements of colic or inflammation 
of the bow^els. Hard water, especially cold well 
water, is more liable to cause mischief in this 
way than soft water. Hard water will derange 
some horses, so much as to sliow an almost im- 
mediate effect of causing the hair to look rough 
or stare, the appetite deranged, if not indeed 
preceded by colic or inflammation of the bow- 
els ; also, horses that are raised and w^orked in 
country, where the water is strongly impreg- 
nated with lime, are troubled a good deal 
with intestinal calculi, i. e., stone in the bladder. 
Hence soft water should be given, if convenient; 
and if well water, especially while warm, it 
should either have the chill taken ofl or be given 
very sparingly. 

The best time to water is about half an hour 
before feeding. While driving, the rule should 
be little and often. None, or onlv a swallow 



127 

or two, should be given at the close of a drive, 
until cool. If very warm, the horse should be 
walked moderately where there is not a current 
of air to strike him, from ten to thirty minutes, 
as may be found necessary. If, then, any dan- 
ger is apprehended, the chill should be taken 
oft the water if very cold and given sparingly a 
few swallows at a time. The common custom 
is to give about a half bucket of water. The 
safest course would be to give less and repeat. 
The rule should be, for ordinary use, to give 
small quantities often during the daj^ and the 
animal to pursue his journey or labor immedi- 
ately after. If allowed to stand, the system is 
chilled. The absorbents are closed, which is 
the common cause of Laminitis or Founder. 
Although this disease may not develop itself 
until twelve or twenty -four hours afterwards. 
Any cause which will chill the system — either 
cold winds or cold water — while the animal is 
warm, will produce the above disease. 



128 



TEACHING TRICKS. 

Do not hurry a horse too last in liis tuition. 
If you undertake to learn too much, or too last 
iu'the start, or indeed at anytime, you only 
confuse or discourai^'C. Do so mucli as the 
horse can comprehend and appreciate, and daily 
progress. 

Ti'acliiiis: to Follo^v. 

If it is desired to simply teach the horse to 
follow promptly with baiter or bridle on, apply 
the war bridle (small loop); wlicn he comes 
round promptly, stand off a short distance and 
say, *' C(nne here, sir/' If he does not come 
to you, give a sharp pull, gradually chang-ing 
positions and going a little farther. When he 
comes, promptly caress, if not, pull sharply, re- 
peating in this way until you can make him 
come to you promptly in any direction. 

To 91nli« I oUoM uilli tlie Whip. 

The simplest and easiest way of doing this, 
is to work up sharply with the war bridle, and 
when the horse comes around promptl}^ take a 
short blunt whip, step up to the shoulder, and 
while holding the bridle loose in the left hand, 
pass the whip gently over the shoulder, and tap 
lightly witb the end on the oif-side of the head. 
This will annoy the horse and cause him to 
move the head a little I'rom it, toward you ; in- 
stantly stop and caress, then repeat the tapping 



120 

a^ain ; should he attempt to run from you, hold 
him by the bridle. Kepeat in this way until the 
horse will step toward you promptly. Then 
touch the whip over the hips and say, " Come, 
sir. If he comes up to you, or shows the least 
disposition to do so, caress, and so continue 
until he will come up promptly. Now step a 
little sideways and ahead and say, " Come, sir." 
If he should step after you, caress, if not, touch 
the lash over the hips. In a short time the 
horse will learn to step to you, and follow 
promptly. When he will do this, stand him in 
a corner of the room, stand a little in front of 
him and touch him lightly with the whip on 
the fore-legs and say, ''Come here, sir." At 
the least intimation of coming, stop and caress. 
Then repeat, touching with the whip. If he 
moves to you a little, stop and caress, and in 
this way repeat until he will come to you 
promptly. Then get a little farther from him 
and repeat in the same manner until he will 
learn to hurry up to you, to get away from the 
whip. Should he bolt away, put on the bridle, 
and hold the end in the left hand. You can 
now hold him by the bridle when he attempts 
to run, until he finds he cannot get away, and 
will come up promptly. 

This lesson should be made very thorough 
before there is an attempt to take the horse out 
of doors, and then in a small yard. If this is 
not convenient, put on the bridle, having good 
length of cord, and hold in the left hand loosely. 

If the horse is of a bad character, the follow- 
ing method may be used : Turn the horse into 
a room or small yard well enclosed. Provide 
yourself with a good bow whip. The horse 
will feel uneasy and look around at you, and 
6* 



130 

then perhaps for some place by which to escape. 
Walk up to him, and as he runs into a corner 
apply the lash sharply under his flanks, follow- 
ing him up, making the whip sting keenly 
around the hind legs. When he stops or turns 
his head toward 3'ou, stop instantly, reach out 
the hand, at the same time approaching gently. 
Should he ran or turn around to kick, whip in- 
stantl}^ as before, and so continue until 3'ou can 
approach and caress the head and neck a little. 
Then say, '* Come, sir," at the same time touch* 
ing the whip lightly over the hips. If he comes, 
or shows the least disposition to do so, caress 
and speak encouragingly. If he runs, whip as 
before, and so repeat until the horse will come 
up promptl}^ when touched by the whip. 

As the object is to make the horse honest in 
following, it is necessary to make him feel that 
you whip him only for resistance, encouraging 
and flattering for every intimation of obedience, 
until he realizes his safety from the whip to be 
to^come to you. 

To lite Bown. 

Tie the bridle reins into a knot back of the 
neck. Throw your strap over the back, under 
the body and tie to the near foot, below the fet- 
lock. Now pass the right hand well over the 
back and take a short hold of the strap. Cause 
the horse to step toward you and pull the foot 
up. Then pass the left hand around the reins 
and pull back and down upon them in such a 
manner as to turn the head a little to the off- 
side, at the same time pulling down steadily, 
but firmly on the strap over the back with the 
right hand. As tlie horse goes down, gradually 



ISl 

pull the near rein, so as to bring the head tp 
the left, at the same time pressing down and 
from you firmly with the right, until the horse 
will lie down. Pass the end of the strap now 
through the ring of the bit and draw through 
gently, step over the neck, and as the horse at- 
tempts to get up, pull him back, until he lies 
quiet. Rub and caress him, and after lying a 
few minutes, say, "Get up, sir." Repeat in 
this way for a few times until the horse will lie 
down readily. Then while holding him on or 
near the knee with the strap, hit him on the 
shin of the other with a little whip, until he 
will bring it under and lie down. After a 
while he can be made to come on his knees and 
lie down by simply pulling the head down a 
little and hitting the shins with the whip, at the 
same time saying, ^'Lie, down, sir," repeating 
until the horse will lie down to the motion of 
the whip. This is about the easiest and most 
practical way to treat a horse to lie down. 
There is no danger of injuring the knees, or of 
causing accident. If the reader should not get 
sleightof laying a horse down in this way, cover 
the floor deeply with straw, tie up the fore-leg, 
use the strap on the near one over the back as 
before, until the horse will lie down, repeating 
as may be necessary until the horse will lie 
down to the motion of the whip, as before ex- 
plained. 

To Sit Up. 

When the horse will lie down promptly, put 
on him a common collar, and while being down 
take two pieces of- rope,, or ..anything suitable;,., 
about ten feet each in length. Tie the ends 
around the hind-feet, carry them forward be- 



132 

tWeen the fore-legs and bring them once around 
the collar. Now step on his tail, take the bridle 
reins in the right hand, while you hold the ends 
of the ropes firmly in the left. Give a little 
jerk on the reins and say, " Get up, sir." When 
the horse throws out the forward feet and 
springs to raise himself on the hind-feet, he 
finds hiaiself unable to complete the effort, on 
account of the hind-feet being tied forward 
under him, and so he brings himself in a sitting 
position. Instantly step forward, holding the 
ropes firmly, rub and caress the head and neck 
a little for a few seconds, then as you see the 
effort to keep up becoming tiresome, let loose 
and say, *' Get up, sir." By repeating in this 
way a few times the horse will soon learn to sit 
up when commanded without being tied. 

To Make n Bow. 

Take a pin in your right hand, between the 
thumb and fore-finger, and stand before, but a 
little to the left, of your horse. Then prick him 
on the breast lightly, as if a fly biting, which 
to relieve he will bring down his head, which 
you will accept as yes, and reward for by cares- 
sing and feeding as before. Then repeat, and 
80 continue until he will bring his head down 
the moment he sees the least motion of the 
hand toward his breast, or substitute some sig- 
nal which he will understand readily. 

To 8a J .Wo. 

Stand near the shoulder, holding the pin in 
your hand, with which prick him lightly on the 
withers, to driv^ which away he will shake his 
head. Youthen caress as before, and so repeal 



1^3 

ing, until he will shake his head at the least 
indication of touching him with the pin ; you 
can train your horse so nicely in this way in a 
short time as to cause him to shake his head or 
bow by merely turning the hand a little, or 
moving it slightly toward him. 

To Kiss. 

Teach him first to take an apple out of your 
hand. Then gradually raise the hand nearer 
your mouth, at each repetition, until you re- 
quire him to take it from your mouth, holding 
it with the hand, telling him at the same time 
to kiss you. He will soon learn to reach his 
nose up to your mouth ; first to get the apple, 
but finally, because commanded to do so. 
Simply repeat until the horse understands the 
trick thoroughly. 

To Shake Hands. 

Tie a short strap, or piece of cord, to the for- 
ward foot, below the fetlock. Stand directly 
before the horse, holding the end of this strap 
or cord in your hand, then say, " Shake hands, 
sir," and immediately after commanding him 
to do so ; pull upon the strap, which will bring 
his foot forward, and which you are to accept as 
shaking hands, thanking him for it, by caress- 
ing and feeding, and so repeat until, when you 
make the demand, he will bring the foot for- 
ward in anticipation of having it pulled up. 
This is a very easy trick to teach the horse. By 
a little practice a horse may be easily trained to 
approach, make a bow, shake hands and follow 
like a dog, lie down, sit up, etc., which make 
him appear both p6lite and pleasant. 



164 



SHOEING. 

The hoof of the horse in a state of nature, is 
adapted onl}^ to a grassy surface. Here, the 
natural wear and tear of the hoof is just 
compensated by its growth. When the wear is 
made greater than this b}^ driving on hard 
roads, the horn is worn down so rapidly, that 
the vascular part of the foot would soon be 
exposed, and the horse would in consequence 
become lame. 




The first attempts towards rendering the 
horse useful on hard ground, were directed to 
hardening the hoof. Hence, it was recom- 
mended, according to history, that the feet of 
horses should be kept free from moisture, that 
their hardness might not be impaired. Several 
applications in the form of ointments and lotions 
were used, with- the intention- of toughening 
the hoof, but without avail. In large cities the 
roads were paved with large flat stones, to 



185 

dimiuish as much as possible the wearing ot 
the horny substance of the foot. 

The first step towards shoeing horses was 
by fastening a sort of sandal to the foot, by 
means of straps or strings, and as experience 
enabled, improvements, plates of metal, were 
used, but fastened to the foot in the same 
clumsy manner. It is supposed that plates of 
metal, or shoes were used, and attached to the 
feet in this way for nearly a thousand years, 
before it was found practical to fasten them 
with nails. The iirst effort to ftisten shoes to 
the feet by nailing, was by driving the nails 
down through the crust and shoe, and riveting 
on the underside. It is not known by whom 
or exactly when this improvement was made, 
or when the present system was introduced. 
In some parts of Illinois and the great plains of 
the West, where the ground is free from stone 
and gravel, it is not found necessary to shoe 
horses, and now in some countries not advanced 
in civilization we tind greater or less degrees of 
rude skill used in the method and means of 
protecting the feet. 

The Icelanders form a piece of ram's horn 
into shape, and fasten it to the foot by means 
of horn pins. The antlers of deer are used for 
the same purpose, according to the accounts of 
travelers, by people of other remote regions. 
In Japan sandals of plaited straw are used, 
fastened with straw bands around the fetlocks. 
The Arabians use a simple plate of iron with 
a hole in the centre, nailed on. 

The system of shoeing now in general use, 
is to fit a simple flat piece of iron, with or with- 
out corks, to the form of the foot, and nailed 
firmly to the wall of the hoof. If this is done 



1S6 

80 as to restrict the natural freedom of the 
crust, or in any way induce to an unnatural 
condition, that will cause irritation and injury 
of the laminte, or fleshy structure connectinof 
and between the hoof and coffin bone, a diseased 
condition is produced, that results, to a greater 
or less degree, in some one of the causes of 
maliformation and lameness to which horses 
are subject. 

The principal causes of mischief from shoe- 
ing, directly or indirectly, are : First, lack of 
skill and prudence in paring the hoof, so as to 
brins: it back to its natural bearins^ and condi- 
tiou. Second, in titting the shoe so as to bring 
the bearins: even and naturally on the the rim 
of the hoof only, and nailing it on so as to 
interfere as little as possible with the freedom 
and enlargement of the hoof as it grows ; and 
Third, in permitting the hoof and frog becom- 
ing unnaturally dry and hard. In its natural 
state the foot will be found to be almost round, 
and very elastic at the heels ; the frog broad, 
plump, and of a soft yielding character; the 
commissures open and well defined, and the 
sole concave ; the outside of the crust from 
the heel to the toe, increased from a slight 
bevel to an angle of about forty-five degrees. 
Consequently, as the hoof grows it becomes 
wider and longer in proportion to the degree 
horn is secreted, and narrower and shorter to the 
degree that horn is cut away from the ground 
surface. If a shoe were fitted nicely and accu- 
rately to the foot, after being dressed down 
■well, it would be found too narrow and short 
for the same foot in the course of a few weeks. 
Consequently, if the shoe is nailed on firmly, 
as is usually done, well back to the quarters, 



18T 

as the foot grows the restraint of the shoe pre- 
vents the foot becoming wider as before. The 
longer the shoe is kept on, the more increased 
the growth of the horn, conserjiiently, the 
greater pressure upon the quarters. 

Secondly, if the bearing surface of the shoe 
is concave, as is usually the case, there is not 
only increased lateral resistance upon the quar- 
ters on account of the restraint of the nails, but 
the tending of the heels to slide inward as weight 
is thrown upon the foot, causes so much pressure 
upon the laminated structure connecting the 
hoof and coffin bone, as to cause it to become 
iutiamed and injured. This tendency is in- 
creased by allowing the hoof and frog to become 
dry and hard. The increased heat induced by 
iniiammation causes an increased absorption of 
moisture. The dryer and harder the hoof be- 
comes, the more it is contracted in size. Hence 
we see three disturbing causes of injury and 
contraction. If, also, the sole should rest upon 
the shoe at the heels, or in f^Ejstening the* shoes 
to the feet the nails were driven too near, or 
into the quick, there would be increased injury, 
which would cause a change of structure, or 
the formation of matter that must cause serious 
or incurable lameness if not properly treated. 

In trimming and preparing the hoof lor the 
shoe, the object should be to bring it back to 
its natural position, bearing and form. If the 
shoes have been on a month, cut away the horn 
grown, more or less, according to the length 
of time the shoes have been on, and the quan- 
tity of horn grown. Bring dov>'n the bearing 
surface to almost a level with the live horn of 
the sole, makiufj it level. If the foot is in a 
healthy condition it is seldom necessary to in- 



188 

tcrfere with the sole or frog. The sole and 
frog throw otf old horn by exfoliation. Some- 
times the shoe extends so close and so far over 
the sole, as to prevent this old horn from either 
wearing or scaling off the sole. When this 
condition is found, it should be dressed out, 
particularly at the heels, at the angles formed 
between the bars and the crust. The buttress 
is usually too large and too square-edged to do 
this well. There is danger with it of cutting 
too deep in some places and not deep enough 
in others. An English shave, with the edge 
turned back, like that of an instrument with 
which to measure boards, is just the thing for 
this purpose. The bars should not be cut lower 
than the rest of the heel, so that the bearing 
should be equal upon the shoe. 

The bearing surface shouUl be leveled down 
carefully, and left a little higher than the sole, 
so that there can be no bearing of the sole 
upon tl^e shoe. If the foot is flat and will not 
bear this, then the shoe must be lowered from 
the bearing of the sole. No deiinite rule can 
be given by wliich to explain how much must 
be cut away from the whole or atiy part of the 
foot. If the heels are strong and upright they 
f?hould be cut down so that the bearins: will be 
level, and the hoof look natural. 

Tlio fshoc 

Should be proportioned in weight to the size of 
the foot and work of the horse. If the hoof 
is thin shelled and the horse is not worked 
much, the shoe should be light; but if the 
work is hard the shoes should be rather heavy. 
The form a!id size of the shoe should be 



139 



adapted to that of the foot, of an equal thick- 
ness from the heel to the toe, perfectly level 
on the bearing surface. 




HUOZ VUOrRUJjY FITTKIJ. 



There is usually great carelessness in the 
manner of fitting and adapting the shoe to the 
size and form of the foot. The shoe should be 
fitted in size, so that when the hoof is rounded 
off a little from the clinches down, it will come 
out even with the crust from the toe to the turn 
of the heels, becoming a little wider at the 
?ieel», and long enough to extend back of the 
extreme bearing about a quarter of an inch, 
(see cut.) 

The growth of the foot requires that the shoe 
sliould be ](m(r and wide cnou<^h at the heels to 
allow for the natural enlargement of the hoof 
in the time it is intended the shoe should be 
on, before being reset; for as the foot enlarges 
by growth, the shoe is brought forward, until it 
loses its original proportion and becomes too 
short and narrow, to allow for which, the shoo 



140 



must be left as much wider and longer than the 
foot at the heels as it is supposed the foot will 
grow in the time it is intended the shoe should 
be on. 




BEARING SUKFACE LEVEL. 



There is a very serious, though unintentional, 
fault in shoes as generally fitted. It is custom- 
ary to lower the bearing surface of the shoe 
which is intended to be, and should be, per- 
fectly level. But from carelessu'iss or igno- 
ranee, they are in almost every instance largely 
concave at the heels, or the seating (the inside 
ed(je, which is ifsuaUij lowered from ike bearing of 
the sole,) is carried so far back at the heel that 
if the shoe is in the least too wide for the foot 
the heels rest on the concave surface of this 



141 

seating, which must force lateral restraint upon 
the heels, hy their constant inward action when 
weight is thrown upon the foot, and thus cause 
contraction and soreness of the feet, which if 
continued may result in very serious conse- 
quences. This should be strictly guarded 




GUOUXD SURFACE— POSITION OP NAILS. 

against. The part upon which the heels rest 
should be perfectly level. 

Nail boles aud Xailing; 

A great deal depends also on the location of 
the nail holes in the shoe, and the size and driv- 
ing of the nails. If the smith were to examine 



142 

the thickness of the hoof of an ordinary well- 
bred horse, he would be perhaps surprised at 
its thinness, and he would see the importance, 
in the first place, of making the holes near the 
edge well forward in the toe, and of putting the 
shoe so far under the shell, as to betra}' into 
driving the nails too deeply into it, or of hav- 
ing the nails so large as to split and shatter the 
hoof. If the nail holes are made well into the 
shoe, and the shoe should be a little narrow or 
short, and be set well under the hoof, the nails 
must be driven very near, or into the quick, 
which must result in serious lameness or injury. 
Two objects therefore must govern the smith 
in punching the nail holes. First, making 
them so far forward in the toe as to prevent 
needless, restraint upon the quarters. Second, 
so near the edge of the shoe as not to endanger 
driving the nails too deep in the crust. The 
nails should not be large, nor a greater number 
driven than is barely necessary to retain the 
shoe. 

It must be remembered that, at best, the hoof 
is greatly shattered by the nails ; that the horn 
is thickest at the toe, and the nailing well back 
to the quarters not only exposes to greater dan- 
ger of pricking, but causes an injurious pres- 
sure upon the heels. If the horse is not used 
much, and the heels are rather square and up- 
right, the quarters must be kept free. Have 
the nail holes made well forward on both sides, 
three on the inner and four on the outer side, 
or nail well back on the outside quarter, but 
well forward in the toe inside. As the foot 
now grows, the shoe will be carried to that side 
and forward, leaving the inside quarter free, 
thereby, making both quarters as independent 



148 

of the restraint of the shoe as it is possible to 
do. Any increase in the number of nails to re- 
tain the shoe more firmly must not imply free- 
dom to. drive them back in the quarters. Let 
the holes be punched closer together in the toe. 
Care should be used not to file too deeply under 
the clinches, as is common, and in finishing off", 
the file should not be touched above the 
clinches, and below only enough to round the 
toe a little. There is a kind of 'penchant in most 
smiths to improve the shape of the foot by rasp- 
ing and filing the whole surface to the hair. 
The outside of the hoof is much more dense 
and hard than the inside, the small spaces be- 
tween the fibres of the horn are filled with a 
soft substance, the better to prevent a too rapid 
evaporation of moisture. If the whole surface 
of the hoof is rasped, the best part is not only 
likely to be cut away, but too rapid evaporation 
takes place, and the hoof ia not only thereby 
weakened, but becomes dry, hard and contract- 
ed. If the horse is not used much, and stands 
on dry plank, this condition must be produced. 

Contraction. 

A contracted condition of the feet is pro- 
duced so gradually that the owner may not 
notice the alteration of structure and dimin- 
ished size of the hoof, until the horse becomes 
so tender footed and unable to travel, that it is 
found necessary to do something to restore the 
animal to a condition of usefulness. The hoofs 
seem to hold the same relation in the protection 
of the horse's feet, that boots or shoes do to 
those of the human feet. They are insensible 
horn, provided by nature for this purpose. If 



144 

like boots, from any oause tliey restrict too 
much the freedom of the circuhitioii, or press 
upon the sensitive laminit) at any point, there 
will be the same conseqnences of inllammation. 
This is to be looked for at the heels and quar- 
ters, as by lateral restraint upon the quarters or 
under pressure of the shoe on the sole, or both, 
inflammation and injury is caused, inducing 
tenderness and lameness, and ultimately a 
chang-e of structure that will make the horn 
unsound. 

The flrst and primary object is to look for 
cause and remove it. Though usually given 
but little consideration by autliors, contraction 
is, directly or indieectly, the cause of most 
trouble with the feet. Corns, founder, atrophy 
of the muscle of the shoulders, thickening of 
the lateral cartilage, navicular tritis or disease of 
the navicular joint, are largely dependent upou 
contraction. It i« idle also to look for cure in 
any of the advertised means for this purpose. 
Ointments, elastic cushions, and the prevalent 
theories that I have seen advertised, do not 
reach the difficulty. ISTeither can any form of 
shoe alone be depended upon, however perfect 
and plausible they may appear. The foot must 
be properly prepared, when the shoe must be 
adapted to the condition and peculiarity of the 
case. A contracted foot is always strong and 
high at the heel. The horn is thick and hard 
and the commasures closed. Almost all elas- 
ticity' is destroyed so far as freedom of expan- 
sion. 

This horn must be removed and the foot per- 
mitted and encouraged to expand, and that 
means is best and most valuable that w^ill restore 
the foot to its natural condition, and w^hich i^ 



145 

to be aided by gentle but gradual expansion 
upon the heels. The feet should l)e softened 
by standing in warm water, or poultieing wlien 
they can be easily cut down to the live yielding 
sole, until the greatest elasticity is assured. If 
the frog is high and bony it may be cut down. 
Various forms of shoe are recommended, but 
the truth is, more depends upon the skill of 
preparing the feet and of making the shoe ex- 
actly adapted to the peculiarity of the case than 
upon the form of the shoe. If there is sufficient 
genius and skill available, the quarters may be 
sufficiently spread in nailing. First, fit the 
shoe accurately to the size of the hoof, from the 
toe to the heel, bearing surface level, having the 
nail holes well back in the quarters. Lay the 
shoe on accurately and mark the position of the 
nail holes on the sole with a prick or pencil ; 
small holes may be bored in part way in the di- 
rection of the nails with a very small bit, not 
larger than the nail above the shoulder. Now 
make the shoe an eighth of an inch or a little 
less wider. Put it on and start all the nails, 
driving each a little in rotation until all are 
driven down. This will bring an even and di- 
rect pressure upon the quarters outward, but 
not enough to do any harm, which can be re- 
peated from time to time by drawing out the 
nails and making the shoe a trifle wider. 

A cheap and excellent shoe for expansion is 
made by Terral & Farren, of Batavia, N. Y., 
which if properly fitted and applied will answer 
an excellent purpose. I'heir application re- 
quires considerable skill, and their value is 
dependant upon the care and skill used in so 
graduating the pressure upon the quarters as 
ijot to excite inflammation. They will funiish 
7 



14G 

circulars, giving necessary details, &c., on appli- 
cation, by being addressed. 

The feet shonld be kept soft by putting in a 
warm water bath, as hot as can be borne by the 
hand, at least one hour each day, or poultice 
with Hax seed meal, or tying a few thicknesses 
of cloth around the coronet, keeping them damp 
while in the stable. When the feet are so dis- 
eased by contraction as to cause change of struc- 
ture that impairs mobility, or if there is iniiam- 
mation of the navicular joint, though carefully 
spreading the heels may palliate or improve the 
condition of the case, a radical cure need not be 
expected, though with proper surgical treat- 
ment in addition, many otherwise hopeless cases 
may be restored to a condition of usefulness. 
So much depends upon skill that it is hazard- 
ous to assume treating these difficulties, no 
matter what is attempted or advised to be done, 
even though a simple condition of contraction 
that would yield readily to proper treatment, 
can but rarely be cured by inexperienced per- 
sons who may assume the task. 

This requires a discrimination founded upon 
a correct understanding of the condition and 
nature of the parts involved, and of the treat- 
ment best adapted to restore them to a healthy 
condition. Neither can this be done by every 
practical surgeon. The theories of writers, 
while plausible and good, do not enable a prac- 
tical treatment for cure. I have ffiven this 
subject much attention, having attended a 
■ course of lectures on shoeing and diseases of 
the feet, and incurred an expense of nearly a 
thousand dollars in illustrating the principles 
(as I understood them) of shoeing, and changes 
of structure excited by ditiereut causes, in 



147 

procuring models and morbid specimens, but I 
am frank in statin;^ that I did not know how to 
cure corns and contractions practically, and I 
have not met a surgeon who did, until I became 
acquainted with Dr. Wm. Somekville, of Buf- 
falo, N. Y. I would not imply an ignorance of 
the structure and relation of the parts, or of 
such theories and details as liave been given by 
eminent writers, in any one of the many able 
veterinary surgeons with whom I have become 
acquainted in different parts of the country, and 
to whom I feel greatly indebted for many acts 
of assistance and kindness; but in reaching the 
point of dilHcuIty in a direct practical manner, 
that would restore the feet to a healthy condi- 
tion. Dr. Somerville is far in adance. And the 
better to fit myself to disseminate a correct 
knowledge not only of this duty but of the 
treatment of diseases in general, I have em- 
ployed this eminent practitioner, at an extrava- 
gant expense, to instruct me in his theory and 
practice of treating disease, which he does on 
condition that I do not publish his treatment. 
Neither am I willing to make public a means of 
curing contraction and other causes of lameness, 
that have cost me so largely. 

But I am happy to be able to assure owners 
of fine horses that are sore-footed or lame, from 
contraction and its consequences, that unless 
there are morbid changes excited that destroy 
the mobility, I can make them apparently sound 
in a short time. 

Corns 

Appear in the angle of the hoof near the heel. 
They are generally caused by the shoe being 
worn too long, causing the shell of the hoof to 



148 

grow over the shoe, whicli throws the weight 
upon tiie sole, or the angles between the bar 
and crust are not properly dressed out. If the 
descending heel of the coffin bone meets with 
too much resistance by want of elasticity in the 
sole at this place, the sensitive sole is liable ta 
be so bruised and injured as to cause this elfect. 
Corns are a simple contused wound of the sen- 
sitive sole. If of an ordinary character, upon 
cutting away the horn, there will be found a 
red spot; if very bad, the color will be a dark 
purple. 

If this condition is neglected, matter may be 
formed, or the inflammation may cause the lat- 
eral cartilages which are attached to the heels 
of the coffin bone to become ossilied, or even 
the accumulation of large bony deposits, which 
w^ould destroy the mobility of the foot and 
cause considerable deformity. 

The corn should be well cut out, and a little 
butyr of antimony applied to the part, or satu- 
rate well with pine gum, which is found to 
exude from the sap of pine trees. Fill the cav- 
ity with tow, and put on the shoe so fitted that 
there will be no pressure upon the part. The 
shoes should be re-set often until cured. 

Quarter Crack. 

When the hoof is dry and hard it is easily 
split. A piece of glue when very dry splits 
and breaks very easily if pounded upon, but if 
softened by moisture would only bend and be 
bruised. The hoof partakes of the character 
of glue. If very dry the fibers become dense 
and hard. If while the feet are in this condi- 
tion the horse is driven fast on hard roads, the 



149 

hoof is liable to burst. If the hoof is thin and 
contracted, there is great danger of the inside 
quarters splitting. 

Cut down the hoof back of the crack, so that 
there is no pressure of that part of the bearing 
surface upon the shoe, put on a bar shoe, cut 
across the split deeply at the edge of the hair 
with a firing iron, ^ext cut down the edges of 
the hoof so far as split extends, to the quick. 
Then soften and grow down the hoof rapidly 
by applying any good stimulating ointment. 
A mixture of equal portions of tar, lard and 
turpentine, is excellent for this purpose. The 
fitting of the shoe should be carefully attended 
to, the hoof grown down as rapidly as it is safe 
to do, and the part kept clean by covering it 
with a little tar, or a mixture of resin and 
tallow. There will not be a cure until a new 
hoof is grown down, which will take about six 
or eight months. 

Interfering;. 

Some horses travel so close that the least 
neglect of having the shoe well under the 
quarter, and the part nicely dressed down, 
would cause a bruising and cutting of the 
opposite ankle. If you do not know what part 
of the hoof strikes the ankle, wind the ankle 
with a piece of bandage and daub it with some 
coloring matter; then trot the horse until some 
of this coloring is found on the hoof, which 
indicates the part that strikes. The shoe should 
be so formed and fitted as to come well under 
this portion of the hoof. To do this well, that 
side of the shoe should be made rather straight, 
with the web narrow^, and the nail-holes well 



150 

forward in the toe; at all events there must be 
no nails driven into that part of the hoof that 
strikes, as the clinches would be likely to cut. 
If the toe cork is set well round, on the inside 
of the toe, and the foot is so fitted, or the shoe 
is so formed that the bearing of the inside of 
the foot is raised a little, there will be a tend- 
ing in the ankle to be thrown out when borne 
upon. But the great object is to have the shoe 
fitted and filed smoothly, and set well under 
the quarters, so that after the hoof is rasped oft' 
all it is prudent to do, and rounded down care- 
fully, the shoe sets far enough under not to 
endanger its cutting, yet support the hoof, and 
give a natural bearing to the foot. The diffi- 
culty will be that some portion of this part of 
the shoe, will be made to extend beyond the 
hoof, and the shoe is fitted and put on so 
roughly that it can scarcely be said to be fitted 
any smoother or better than is usually done, 
without regard to such a purpose. It is always 
best to keep the bearing natural by trimming 
the foot level, and making the shoe of an even 
thickness, but set under and filed smoothly. 
If this w^ill not do, raise the inside a little. 
Driving young horses to sulky will often cause 
interfering; getting a horse in good condition 
will often overcome the difficulty. If the 
ankles are cut or sore, they should be protected 
with pads until well. If the owner values the 
animal highly, he should give such shoeing his 
personal attention. 

Pricking^. 

If the smith should happen to drive a nail so 
deep into the crust as to strike the sensitive 



151 

part, he should by no means drive a nail into 
that hole again, so that if matter is formed by 
the injury, there will be an outlet for it. If the 
horse becomes lame after being shod, examine 
the foot carefully. If pricked by driving any 
of the nails too near the quick, there will be 
heat and tenderness in the hoof easily discov- 
ered. Have the shoe taken off, and cut down 
to where the nail strikes the quick, enough to 
make room for any matter that may have 
formed to escape ; then poultice with flax-seed 
meal until the inflammation is reduced, when a 
little tar, resin, or tallow, or something of this 
kind, should be put on, and the opening filled 
up with a little tow, to prevent gravel or dirt 
from getting in, and the shoe put on again. 

Weak Heels. 

Cutting down too close and fitting the shoes 
roughly, so that the horse wears and breaks 
down, will cause the heels to be low and sensi- 
tive. If there is contraction, the arteries sup- 
plying blood to the quarters, by which the 
growth of horn is stimulated, are obstructed, and 
in consequence the quarters grow slowly, 
though the toe grows fast enough. Such feet 
should be simply leveled down with the rasp 
carefully, and the shoe fitted to touch every 
part of the bearing surface at the heels. 

Sboes. 

It should be borne in mind that that form of 
shoe which accords with the foot in making the 
bearing natural, preserves its elasticity, and 
protects it from injury, is best. If we examine 



152 

the foot it will be found concave. This is the 
best form to enable a fulcrum that will prevent 
slipping. If we would imitate and carry out 
in the form of the shoe, that of the foot, it 
should be also concave, or thick at the outer 
edge and beveled upward to the inner edge on 
the ground surface. Such a shoe will not ball, 
prevents slipping, is lighter, and would cer- 
tainly enable more speed on a track if at all 
wet. Amateurs tvho have an opportunity, should 
see my models of shoes of different patterns. 

Shoes for summer wear should be level, of 
an equal thickness from toe to heel. If the 
roads are soft this is certainly advisable, to give 
the frog pressure. If shoes are made with 
corks, the inside ones should be rounded so as 
not to cut the feet. The outside ones will pre- 
vent slipping. My Maine snow shoe is undoubt- 
edly the best for winter use ; will not ball, and 
protects the feet most effectually from being 
bruised or injured 

The bearing surface of all shoes should be 
level, and come exactly under the wall of the 
hoof all the way round. The nails should 
be as small, and as few, and as far forward 
in the toe as will retain the shoe safely, the 
object being to protect the foot and keep it 
healthy. When from any cause there is an 
undue absorption of moisture, making the frog 
and hoof dry and hard, either from inactivity 
by standing on a dry floor, or driving on dry 
hard roads, or both, it must be supplied by 
artificial means. Stuff" or fill the feet with 
fiax-seed meal to which has been added a little 
wood ashes mixed with water. It will stick. 
Or wet cloths may be tied around the hoof. 
If this treatment is desired to be energetic, the 



158 

feet must be put in water, as hot as can. be 
borne, for at least one hour a day. But this is 
the province of a thorough practitioner to 
direct. " 

The usual paliative means of rubber cushions 
and such means, put between the hoof to cure 
soreness and lameness, are of no account, since 
they do not reach the cause of difficulty. The 
nailing of the shoe must necessarily be so tight 
as to press out all the elasticity there is, and in 
addition, the heels cut through such means so 
quickly that they will not prove of value. 

Shoes should be re-set once in from four to 
six weeks. For light, occasional use, not more 
than seven nails should be driven — four on the 
outside, and three on the inside — well forward. 
The shoe should come well out under the toe, 
so that there is no necessity for more than 
touching the edge a little to reach the shoe. 
It is much better, easier and cheaper, to keep 
the feet healthy than to cure them. It is wise 
in shoers to be patient and do the work well, 
and owners should remember that extra care 
and skill deserves extra compensation. It is 
hoped the few explanations given will aid to a 
better understanding of the duty. 



154 



DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 

To treat diseases successfully requires a prac- 
tical knowledge of their nature, the nature and 
effect of medicine, and the relation in which it 
is to be used to produce the effects desired. 
Even the most eminent practitioners are not 
master of this knowleds^e. Their researches 
only develop the necessity of aiding by such 
means and treatment as will conserve best to 
regulate the derangement and grow into health. 
If this is true, and it cannot be doubted, it is 
much wiser and better for those not familiar 
with the nature and use of medicine not to at- 
tempt doing too much; and above all, not to 
give dangerous remedies or so much of any kind 
as to derange and injure the system. 

More attention should be given to the pre- 
vention of causes. This is your province. 
Now, it is a common custom to drive horses at 
the top of their speed until exhausted, and in a 
reeking sweat, perhaps every pore open, hitch 
the horse in some exposed place to a bleak, 
piercing wind. If a thin blanket is put on it is 
regarded as proof of unusual care. The drivers 
go to a warm room, pass time in drinking per- 
haps for hours, warm and comfortable the drive 
is resumed. The poor horse, chilled with cold, 
is urged forward in the most merciless manner 
to the end of the drive. The horse is put in a 
stall, with no more care than a blanket thrown 
on. The system, weakened and chilled, yields, 



155 

and the horse has pleurisy, inflninmation of the 
lungs, sore throat or larainitis (founder). 

Men, too, of intelligence, who claim to be 
horsemen, abuse and expose their horses in this 
way. Is not such treatment ot the most gener- 
ous and noble animal in the world, not only in- 
excusable, but damning ; and is it any wonder 
that many naturally fine horses are spoilt. Self- 
interest, and the sentiment of common feeling, 
should actuate to reasonable treatment and care 
of horses. Has the reader been guilty of this 
fault, let him be above the guilt of such folly in 
future. If the horse is sick, use reason. Don't 
bleed and pour down the poor animal such 
medicines as every ignorant bystander may re- 
commend. The belief is too prevalent that 
every ailment is based upon botts or colic, and 
that if medicine will not cure it will not harm. 
This is all wrong. If you do not know what 
the trouble is do not commit the error of doing 
anything more than put the horse in a quiet, 
clean and well ventilated stall. If cold weather, 
blanket warmly and nurse, by giving good 
clean food, feeding regularly, adding roots of 
some kind — carrots until cold weather sets in, 
potatoes after, or a bran mash from one to three 
times a week, at night. If the horse is warm, 
water but little, if any, unless moved. Do not 
let him stand where a current of air can strike 
him. If ofiT his feed, give rest and bran mash 
or a little grass. The treatment given here 
must necessarily be simple, to which will be 
found added many favorite remedies of great 
value. 



156 



Inflammation of the liungi^. 

Under this head is usually comprised all the 
modifications and extremes of inflammation and 
congestion, by which the circulation is impeded 
and weakened and the strength prostrated, and 
is usually classed under two heads, naniely : 
Pleurisy and Inflammation of the Lungs. By 
pleurisy — that the pleura or vicera covering 
and surrounding the lungs in the cavity of the 
chest is inflammed. By inflammation of lungs, 
or pneumonia — when the lungs are so inflam- 
med and weakened in their action by conges- 
tion as to prevent ability to take in or expel the 
requisite quantity of air to support life, or to a 
degree that would keep the system to its nor- 
mal standard. These terms are, however, in a 
practical sense, too vague and indefinite to give 
anything like a correct understanding of the 
disease or the treatment to be pursued, since 
there are modifications and extremes of this dis- 
ease that require entirely different treatment 
from those first named, and upon a correct 
diagnosis and treatment of which the life of the 
horse will often depend. These peculiarities 
are congestion and typhoid pneumonia. 

As inflammation is a weakened or obstructed 
condition of the circulation, it implies conges- 
tion. But the term is usually applied to such 
an acute and marked prostration of the action 
of the lungs that they cannot act, from a too 
great engorgement of blood, by which the horse, 
if not promptly relieved, must soon die from 
suffocation. Typhoid pneumonia, on the con- 
trary, is a low order of this disease. The horse 
has no appetite, will not eat, stands for days with 
head down, prostrated almost paralized in action, 



157 

pulse light and accelerated or low and feeble. 
This condition continues from four to five or six 
days, the pulse going up or down according to 
the way the disease terminates. In seven or 
eight days the animal passes a large quantity of 
water, and if properly treated a normal condi- 
tion of health is gradually resumed. This form 
of "lung fever" is usually epidemic, often at- 
tacking in succession all the horses in a stable. 

These peculiarities of extreme require treat- 
ment adapted to each, and so essential is this, 
that what would certainly cure, and is abso- 
lutely essential in one, would be certain death 
to another. 

Plence, in pleurisy, bleeding will kill, by caus- 
ing dropsy and ultimate death. While in 
severe congestion it becomes one of the most 
essential and valuable of adjuncts ; while again 
in the typhoid type, it would be almost certain 
destruction. 

Even practitioners, of boastful skill and ex- 
perience, fail to a great extent in diagnosing 
these differences, unless very clearly marked, 
and in fact the typhoid form, which is quite 
common, is not referred to in any books on 
veterinary practice, and often sweeps off in suc- 
cession the best horses in a stable, if ignorantly 
treated. Yet so easily does this disease yield to 
proper treatment, that it may be almost assum- 
ed that every horse that dies is killed by 
ignorant treatment. Now, it is useless to try 
to explain these nicely merging distinctions or 
give the exact treatment for each, as this would 
only confuse and thus defeat the object for 
which reference is designed. Hence, I will 
give such simple treatment as will be most safe 
and practical for the amateur to use in case of 



158 

emergency. There is a delicacy, energy and 
skill essential in the treatment of the deeper 
and more complicated forms of lung disease, 
that cannot he comprehended or practiced from 
any explan.ation that may he given here. And 
it is well to remind also, that any successful 
veterinary surgeon who has an ordinary regard 
for his own interest, will not throw his favorite 
treatment, hy puhlishing in an}^ general work, 
into the hands of every quack who may have 
access to its pages. The object of the practi- 
tioner in the treatment of inflammation or con- 
gestion, is to give plenty of fresh air and the 
use of such treatment as will most easily and 
naturally equalize the circulation, hy the use of 
sedatives and counter irritation. Bleeding, 
which is the principle reliance of most practi- 
tioners, especially self-constituted doctors, 
would be almost certain death in pluerisy, by 
so weakening the capillaries as to excite a 
watery effusion that would ultimately destroy 
life or render the animal worthless, by causing 
or terminating in hydrathorax or dropsy of the 
chest. It is as surely destructive when of a 
typhoid form. It is unnecessary and injudici- 
ous \n treating a simple condition of inflamma- 
tion, and is only admissible and necessary when 
there is so severe a condition of congestion that 
the most powerful and radical means must be 
used to relieve and save the animal. 

Pluerisy. 

When the membrane covering the lungs and 
internal walls of the chest, without the lungs 
being involved in inflammation, the disease is 
called pleurisy. When the lungs partake of 



151) 

this inflammatory action it is termed pleuro- 
pneumonia. It is supposed tlierc is so much 
8ym[)athy of the parts that they are generally to 
a greater or less extent involved. 

The attack may he sudden or gradual, the 
horse showing indisposition for days previous. 
A hard drive, over-exertion, exposure to cold, 
washing in cold water when warm, or in fact any 
cause that will repress respiration. The horse 
will be dull and heavy in action for a day or 
two, unwilling to lie down, pulse. not much dis- 
turbed, will grunt or groan by moving on ac- 
count of the pleura of the lungs and sides 
rubbing. Breathing at the flanks show a little 
acceleration. As the disease increases the fever 
increases, pulse quicker, membrane of the eye 
and nose becomes of a deeper red, and so on 
until the horse is relieved. Blanket warmly, 
put in a comfortable stall where there will be 
pure air. Apply some strong stimulent to the 
legs and on each side of the body and breast, 
such as mustard made into paste and rubbed 
thoroughly in, or a liniment, composed of aqua- 
amonia reduced one-half with water, or any 
strong stimulating liniment, should be applied 
three or four times a day, and give fifteen or 
twenty drops of the mixture of aconite and 
veratrum as used for inflammation of the lungs. 
Keep up the irritation on the legs and body. 
Repeat the medicine given internally every 
twenty or thirty minutes until relieved, lessen- 
ing or increasing the dose in quantity and fre- 
quency according to the severity of the case. 
Feed lightly and carefully for some time, giv- 
ing mashes in which is to be put salt petre, 
crude antimony and sulphur, as in the treatment 
of inflammation of the lungs. 



160 



fnciimonia, or IiiftamniAtioii of tbc tiiing'84 

All inilammatoty, or highly congested condi- 
tion of the lungs, caused by high feeding, keep- 
ing in close badly ventilated stables ; then sub- 
jected to violent exercise or sudden changes 
from heat to cold. Driving fast against a cold 
wind, or cold applied to the external surface of 
a heated animal, by which the blood is driven 
from the skin and extremities to the internal 
organs. 

The disease is usually noticeable first by the 
horse having a severe shivering fit ; he refuses 
his food, hangs the head between the forelegs 
or upon the manger, will not move or lie down, 
the breathing is quick and short, the pulse is 
sometimes tull and quick, but generally quick 
and weak, scarcely perceptible, legs, ears and 
muzzle cold ; if the attack is sudden, coming on 
after violent exertion, and the pulse is quite 
weak or scarcely perceptible ; and if by put- 
ting the ear to the side no sound is discovered, 
the disease is what is termed congestive pneu- 
monia. This condition requires prompt ener- 
getic treatment. 

For the first condition, or inflammation of 
lungs, clothe warmly and treat as explained for 
pleurisy, applying strong counter irritation to 
the breast, sides and legs, and give of the fol- 
lowing mixture : 

1^ oz. tinc- veratum viride. 
J oz. aconite (mother tine.) 
4 oz. water. 

Dose — ^From fifteen to thirty drops on the 
tongue, repeated in from twenty to thirty 



161 

minutes, according to the size of the horse and 
severity of the case, until relieved. A few 
swallows of water should be given occasionally, 
and if the horse will drink, the medicine maybe 
given in the water. Improvement will be de- 
noted by the pulse full and regular and the 
expression and actions being lively. Oil or 
physic of any sort must not be given. There 
is so much disposition to sympathy that any 
irritation excited by physicing would aggravate 
the disease or cause inflammation of the bowels 
and death. Injections are admissible. If the 
horse is prostrated, but little pulse, no action of 
the lungs, membranes of the nose and eyes high 
colored, possibly a few drops of blood from the 
nose,^take six or eight quarts of blood from the 
neck vein, giving sedatives and applying coun- 
ter irritation as before explained. 

Diet must be low for some time after. Gruel 
and little bran mashes, a few potatoes, carrots 
or grass ; no oats or corn, and but very 
little, if any, hay. Would give a bran mash 
daily for two weeks, in which a tablespoonful 
of the following mixture should be put for the 
purpose of preventing dropsy of the chest: 

4 oz. nitrate potassa (salt petre). 
1 oz. crude antimony. 
3 oz. sulphur. 

Nitrate of potassa and antimony should be 
finely pulverized; then add the sulphur, and 
mix the whole together. Also one of the best 
of remedies for recruiting a horse hide-bound 
or out of sorts. 

Dose — A tablespoonful in a bran mash daily. 



162 

• 

It would be useless to attempt explanation of 
treatment for typhoid pneumonia, as it is a dis- 
ease that requires great delicacy and care, and 
could not be understood from any limited ex- 
planation that may be inserted. Your safest 
course is to nurse carefully, doing nothing more, 
and let the horse take his chance. Safer for 
you than to meddle with the case. 

Inflammation of the Bowels. 

For the first few hours the horse is uneasy, 
paws, looks around at the side, the pulse is 
slightly accelerated and wiry. As the disease 
advances the intermissions between the attack 
becomes less, pulse quicker, running from 
seventy to eighty beats in a minute, in some 
instances even faster, lies down and gets up, 
shows much pain, no swelling of sides. Now 
begins to exhibit fever, bowels constipated, 
urine high colored and scanty — generally caused 
by constipation of bowels, hard driving over- 
purging or looseness of bowels, drinking cold 
water when warm. Constipation is, however, 
the principal cause of the disease, and when 
this is the case, the first and most important 
condition of relief is to get an action of the 
bowels. Give a quart of raw linseed oil. 

If scours or over-purging, give an ounce and 
a half of the tine, opium with six ounces of 
water. But in order to suppress the inflamma- 
tion it is necessary to bleed immediately from 
the neck vein from six to ten quarts of blood, 
according to the strength and size of the ani- 

NoTE. — If constipation is very great, add from four to six 
drops of croton oil. 



16S 

mal. In extreme cases bleeding ma}^ be re- 
peated to the extent of four to six quarts in 
three or four hours. If much pain exists in 
constipation, give from one to three ounces 
tincture asafoetida, gruel, roots, grass and bran 
mash. Feed lightly for a week at least, giving 
gruel, roots, grass and bran mash, and keep 
quiet. ]!^o exercise for several days, if there 
is great danger of a relapse. 

€olic. 

There are two kinds of colic — Spasmodic and 
Flatulent — and it is of the greatest importance 
that they should be distinguished and the treat- 
ment made proper to each. I will give jSrst 
the simplest and safest treatment for each, 
after which I will include a remedy, if at hand, 
that may be relied upon for either, and is alone 
worth more than the cost of the book and in- 
structions. 

First — Spasmodic Colic. Premonatory symp- 
toms are sudden. The animal paws violently, 
showing evidences of great distress, shifting 
his position almost constantly and manifesting 
a desire to lie down. In a few minutes these 
symptoms disappear and the horse is easy. 
But the same uneasiness soon returns, increas- 
ing in severity until the animal cannot be kept 
upon his feet ; the pulse is full, scarcely altered 
from its normal condition. As the disease ad- 
vances the symptoms become more severe, the 
animal at times throwing himself down with 
force, regardless of consequences, looks anxi- 
ously at the sides, sometimes snapping with the 
teeth at the sides, looking anxiously at the belly 
and striking upward with the hind feet, show- 



164 

ing almost the same symptoms of inflammation 
of the bowels. The condition of the pulse and 
the remission of pain being the distinguishing 
features. In addition to which, the extremities 
are of a natural temperature. There are fre- 
quent but ineffectual efforts to pass water, and 
a cold sweat breaks out over the whole body. 

The common causes are application of cold 
water to the body, drinking cold water when in 
a heated condition, costiveness, unwholesome 
food, &c. The simplest and surest treatment is 
bleeding. Being of a spasmodic nature, and 
extracting blood being the quickest and surest 
method of relaxing the system, it is the most 
reliable means of cure. Take from eight to 
twelve quarts of blood from the neck vein, ac- 
cording to the severity of the attack and the 
size of the horse. Always in bleeding make 
the orifice large and extract the blood as quickly 
as possible. If not bled, give three ounces of 
laudanum and a pint of raw linseed oil. If not 
better in an hour give two ounces of laudanum 
and the same quantity of oil. 

Flatulent Colic. — Symptoms same as spas- 
modic colic, with the difference of so great an 
accumulation of gas in the stomach and intes- 
tines that the belly is swelled, and if not re- 
lieved the accumulation of gas may become so 
great that the diaphram or walls of the stomach 
are forced to give way and the horse is suffoca- 
ted. This disease will often prove fatal in a 
few hours, and sometimes in from one to two 
hours. 

In this case bleeding must not be attempted 
on any account, neither must there be any fluids 
forced into the rectum. The animal loses 
strength rapidly, and to bleed prostrates too 



165 

much and checks perspiration without lessening 
the accumulation of gas, and death must almost 
surely result, while the howels are ah-eady so 
disturhed that any attempt to inject liuids of any 
kind only increases the mischief. Blanket 
warmly in order to keep up the perspiration, 
and give the following immediately : 1 oz. 
sulphuric ether, 2 oz. peppermint, 1 pint water, 
to be taken in one dose. If not relieved repeat 
in thirty minutes, omitting half of the pep- 
permint, and all at subsequent repetitions. 
This treatment must be repeated every half 
hour, giving more or less according to the se- 
verity of the case until relieved. If much 
bloated, do not permit the horse to lie down as, 
the shock occasioned by falling or rolling will 
occasion so much pressure upon the diaphrara 
as to break it and the horse must die almost 
instantly from suffocation. I would here state 
that this is a form of inflammation that runs its 
course very quick, and must be treated promptlj^ 
but coolly. There must not be any experi- 
menting in the way of bleeding, or running, or 
physicing, as a fatal result will be almost cer- 
tain to follow. It is a form of colic that baffles 
the majority of the sharp practitioners. The 
treatment has been varied in every possible form 
to no purpose. Of course there are other re- 
sources of great value, but it would be useless 
to give them here, as it would be likely to con- 
fuse and win the attention from treatment 
which is safer for inexperienced persons than 
any complicated treatment that may be at- 
tempted however valuable. The principle cause 
of the disease is constipation by feeding too 
much hay and straw. Keep the bowels in a 
loose active condition, and there is but little 
danger of such a result. 



1G(J 



For Colic ill Horses. 



Siilpli. ether 1 pint, aromatic spirits ammonia 
1 pint, sweet spirits nitre 2 pints, opium J lb., 
asafcetida (pure) J lb., camphor J lb. Put it in 
a large bottle, let it stand fourteen days, with 
frequent shaking, and it will be fit to use. 
Dose: One ounce, more or less, according to 
the severity of the case ; once in from thirty 
minutes to an hour. Should be given in a 
little water, which may be sweetened. Owners 
of valuable horses should keep a supply of this 
medicine, ready for use. But it is always best 
when possible to employ a veterinary surgeon, 
if within reach of one who has reputation for 
success. 

Inflauiination of tbe Kidneys. 

Symptoms : A constant desire to urinate, 
pain on pressing the loins, fever, great thirst, 
urine highly colored. Treatment : If the ani- 
mal is plethoric, bleeding is advantageous; 
mustard and vinegar should be applied to the 
loins frequently and eftectually. Give inter- 
nally in the early stage of the disease, from 
live to ten drops of aconite. 

Iiiflainiuation of Bladder. 

This disease is usually sympathetic, occurring 
oftener in connection with other diseases, than 
of itself. 

Symptoms: Frequent voiding of urine in 
small quantities, quick pulse, looks frequently 
at flanks, paws violently, bladder contracted, 
small, hard and tender to the touch. Treat- 
ment : Injections of water; 1 gallon, in which 



1()7 

put 3 ozs. laudanum; throw into the funda- 
ment two or tliree times a day. Give internally 

1 quart linaeed oil, and bathe loins frequently 
with mustard and vinegar. Give in his water, 

2 drachms extract of belladonna; once every 
day, until restored. This is a dangerous dis- 
ease, and one best treated by a veterinary sur- 
geon, when to be obtained. 

Diarrhoea. 

Symptoms : Water discharges, fever and 
great prostration of strength. Treatment: 
Keep warm ; give injections of starch made 
thin. Drench with the following: Ale 1 quart, 
powdered catechu 2 drachms, laudanum J oz., 
powdered caraway seeds, J oz. ; to be repeated 
every morning until the purging ceases. 

stomach Stagrg^ers. 

This disease arises from an overloaded condi- 
tion of the stomach, causing pressure upon the 
heart and lungs, thus interfering with the cir- 
culation of the blood, causing stupor, and a 
disposition to pitch forward, resting the head 
against the wall, or any object which may be 
in the way. Treatment : Give the following 
ball as soon as possible : Barbadoes aloes 1 oz., 
ginger 1 drachm, gentian 1 drachm, molasses 
sufficient to form the ball. If this does not 
operate in twenty-four hours, repeat the dose. 
Give an injection of soap and water two or 
three times a day, until the bowels are opened. 
Dissolve 2 drachms extract belladona in a jjail 
of water ; give to drink once a day for a week. 
No food of any kind should be given for 



twenty-four hours. Animals subject to this 
disease should not have corn, and be very spar- 
ingly fed. 

Blood ly Urine 

Is generally the result of injuries of the loins, 
unwholesome food, violent exercise, etc. Treat- 
ment: Give plenty linseed tea to drink; if the 
animal refuses it, drench him. Give internally 
once a day, one of the following pills : Sugar 
of lead 1 oz., linseed meal two ozs. ; mix with 
molasses, and divide into eight parts. 

Scratches. 

Wash well with castile soap and water, and 
then make a soap lather and add powdered 
charcoal to make a paste ; apply with brush 
and let it dry, after which it can he rubbed off. 
An excellent remedy is as follow^s: Colodion 1 
oz., castor oil 2 ozs. ; mix ; bathe the parts 
when perfectly dry ; otherwise it will be of no 
service. Give purging ball. 

Grease Heels. 

This is a white, offensive, greasy discharge 
from the heels of the horse, the skin becomes 
hot, tender and swollen ; the acrid character of 
the discharge often causes large portions of the 
skin to slough away, leaving an ugly sore be- 
hind. Treatment : Open the bowels with the 
following ball : Barbadoes aloes 1 oz., pulver- 
ized gentian root 2 drachms, pulverized ginger 
1 drachm, water sufficient to make the ball. 
Wash the parts well, and poultice for two or 
three days with the following: Flax-seed meal 



169 

mixed with a solution of 2 dracJims sulphate of 
zinc to a pint of water, which keep clean, and 
bathe frequently with glycerine, or the solution 
of zinc, or a solution of the chloride of lime, 
may be used ; or the bichloride of murcury 
may be used in inveterate cases, with good 
results, provided it is not repeated oftener than 
once a week. 

liaminitis, or Foancler. 

Symptoms in the acute state : A disposition 
to lie down, pulse quickened, feet hot and ten- 
der ; the animal throws his weight on his hind 
feet, the front ones being extended forward ; 
the s3^mptoms of this disease are well known to 
every horseman. 

Treatment: If plethoric, bleed freely, foment 
the feet with hot water, and poultice them for 
several days, give copious injections of soap and 
water, and give the following ball : Barbadoes 
aloes, 1 ounce ; ginger, pulverized, 1 drachm ; 
gentian, pulverized, 2 drachm ; mix with mo- 
lasses. 

If the disease is allowed to run into the 
chronic form, the animal will always have a 
paddling gait, hence the necessity of prompt 
and efficient 4;reatment. 

Distemper. 

All catarrhal affections are classed under this 
head by the ordinary observer. We refer to it 
in its simple form, as we usually find it in colts 
soon after being stabled. If there is a swelling 
under the jaws, poultice as in strangles, and ap- 
ply mustard and vinegar, or some good irritant, 
8 



170 

and give internally one of the following pow- 
ders in the feed : pulverized gentian 2 ounces, 
sulph. copper, 1 ounce, pulverized ginger, 6 
drachms — mix and divide into eight powders. 

Foil £vil. 

Symptoms : A swelling or tumor on the poll 
of the head. Treatment : This is most suc- 
cessful by extirpation with the knife ; local and 
co*nstitutional treatment will often succeed. As 
soon as the tumor becomes soft, it should be 
opened, and a solution of sulph. of zinc 1 oz., 
acetate of lead IJ ozs., and water 2 quarts, 
should be thrown into the abcess once a day. 
G-ive internally } drachm doses of nux vomica, 
once a day for a week. Keep the bowels open, 
but not too purging. 

Fistula of tbe Witbers, 

Is the same disease, and requires the same 
treatment. 

stone in the Bladder. 

These may exist along time in the bladder 
before any symptoms arise indicating their 
presence. The first symptoms of stone are 
frequent efforts to urinate, voiding small quan- 
tities usually of a thick whitish color ; as the 
stones increase in size the symptoms become 
more aggravated, colicky pains are indicated, 
rendering it difficult to distinguish the differ- 
ence ; the animal paws, kicks at his belly, lies 
down, rolls, and gets up quickly. In some 
cases these obstructions are dissolved by the 
administration of muriatic acid, 2 drachms in a 



171 

pail of water once a day. Where this fails an 
operation for the removal of the stone is the 
only remedy. 

<|,uittcr. 

This is a formation of pus between the hoof 
and the soft structure within ; a sore at the 
coronet or upper part of the foot, which at first 
is a hard, smooth tumor, soon becoming soft, 
and breaks, discharging quantities of pus. 
Treatment : Poultice the foot for several days 
with flax-seed meal. As soon as the hoof be- 
comes soft, cut away all loose portions, but no 
more, and inject with a syringe either of the 
following once a day : Chloride of zinc, 2 
drachms, dissolved in 1 pint of water ; or sul- 
phate of zinc, IJ drachms in 1 pint of water ; 
or nitrate of silver, 2 drachms in a pint of 
water ; or glycerine may be used with advan- 
tage. Before using the wash have the foot well 
cleaned with castile soap and water. 

Mangle. 

This is a disease of the skin identical with 
the itch in the human family. The hair comes 
off in spots which generally blend together, 
causing scabby patches ; and the skin thickens 
and puckers along the neck. 

Treatment : Take the horse in the sun and 
scrub him thoroughly all over with castile soap 
and water, then wash him well from head to 
tail with gas water, in which put two drachms 
white hellebore to the gallon. He must now 
be put in another stall distant from the one in 
which he has been standing ; thus treated it 
rarely requires more than one washing to effect 



172 

a permanent cure. The harness should be 
thoroughly scrubbed and put away for six or 
eight weeks. These precautions are necessary 
to success in this otherwise troublesome dis- 
ease. 

Surfeit. 

This is a scurfy eruption all over the body, 
arising from an impure condition of the blood, 
causing plethora in one animal, and general 
debility, etc., in another. The legs swell, the 
hair is rough and staring, the membrane lining 
in the nose presents a bluish cast. 

Give the following : Barbadoes aloes 1 ounce, 
nitrate of potassa 2 drachms, gentian 1 drachm, 
make into a ball with water ; follow this with 
the following powder : Nitrate of potassa 1 oz., 
pulverized sulphur 6 ounces, black antimony 2 
ounces ; mix and divide into 16 powders, give 
one morning and night. 

Saddle Galls. 

These are too well known to horsemen to re- 
quire any special remarks regarding their 
cause, etc. 

Treatment : Bathe the parts two or three 
times a day with equal parts of tincture of 
myrrh and tincture of 'aloes ; or collodion 1 
ounce, castor oil 2 ounces, mixed together; or 
glycerine is a very good remedy. 

Profnse Staling^. 

The causes of this disease are the improper 
use of diuretic medicines, or saltpeter, resin, 
etc. Unwholesome food will sometimes pro- , 



173 

duce it. Treatment : Give one of the following 
balls every night: Powdered opium ^ ounce, 
powdered kino 1 ounce, prepared chalk 1 ounce; 
mix with molasses and make six balls. 

« Inflammation of tbe Brain. 

Mad staggers, as this disease is called, arises 
from various causes. Blows over the head will 
produce it, over-feeding, a tight collar, power- 
ful stimulents, etc. Symptoms : The animal at 
first is dull, and moves with apparent reluc- 
tance ; the membranes dividing the eyelids and 
nose are much reddened, pulse full and quick, 
appetite lost, a vacant stare about the eyes, 
ending in delirium or madness. Everything 
around the animal is destroyed or injured ; he 
continues his ravings until exhausted. 

Treatment: Open the jugular vein as quick 
as possible; this should be done before the mad 
stage comes on, or it is too late to be of much 
service. Open the bowels freely ; give the fol- 
lowing: Barbadoes aloes 1 ounce, croton oil 10 
drops, ginger 1 drachm ; mix with molasses or 
honey. Give tobacco smoke injections if con- 
venient, or soap and water will answer the pur* 
pose ; give on the tongue every two hours ten 
drops of tincture of aconite, until eight doses 
have been given, and then stop the aconite. 
Give cold water to drink and apply cold water 
bandages to the head, or bags of ice would be 
better ; give no food for twelve hours after re- 
lief is obtained. 

liOcked Jaw. 

This is one of the most troublesome and 
uncertain diseases with which the veterinary 



174 

surgeon has to combat. It is toohiiieally called 
tetanus. It arises generall}^ from nail wounds 
in the feet, sharp met^illio substances taken into 
and wounding the stomach or intestines. Bots 
are said to be occasionally the cause of locked 
jaw, etc. The first symptoms of the disease 
are observed about the ninth or tenth day after 
tlie injury is done, which are a straggling or 
stitfness of the hind legs, to which succeeds 
in a few days, the following : On elevating the 
head, a spasmotic motion of the membrane in 
the inner corner of the eye wuU be observed, 
showing little more than the white of the eye, 
the muscles of the jaw become rigid, the tongue 
is swollen, and the mouth tilled with saliva, the 
ears are erect, the nose poked out, the nostrils 
expand, the respiration becomes disturbed, and 
finally the jaws become firmly set, and the 
bowels are constipated. 

Treatment : That which I have found most 
successful is the early administration of the 
following: Tincture of aconite 2 drachms, 
tinct of belladonna 2 drachms, water i oz. ; 
mix, and give 40 droits every four hours on the 
tongue. Keep a ball of aloes in the mouth for 
several days ; there is no fear of giving too 
much ; I have frequently given half a pound 
in the course of a few days, with good results. 
Hydrocyanic acid 20 drops, in little water, 
and put upon the tongue every four hours, is 
an excellent remedy. Foment the jaws with 
bags of hops steeped in hot water, and bathe 
the line of the back, from the pole to the croup, 
with mustard and with vinegar. Be careful not 
to allow the animal to be uneccessary excited 
by noises and bustle about him, but go around 
him very quietly. Keep a pail of bran slop 



175 

before him all the time. If tlie foot lias been 
injured, poultice with llax-seed meal, and keep 
the wound open until healthy action has been 
cs-tablished. 



RIlCUIIIKtiNltl. 

This diRcaflC is quite common in the WcRtcrn 
States. The Rjmptoms are : fltinnesH, lamenesH, 
and shiftinnj from one limb to another; Home- 
times tumefaction is obHcrbvable about the ex- 
tremities. Tlie lameness is sometimes absent, 
and appears to be influenced by changes in the 
weather. 

For treatment, poultice the feet with mustard 
and llftx-seed meal. Give internally, of nux 
vomica 1 oz., pulverized gentian root IJ ozs., 
pulverized ginger 1 oz. Mix and divide into 
twelve powders ; give one every night in the 
feed. 

If this fails, and the animal is plethoric, 
bleed freely and give a strong cathartic. Fol- 
low Gvcvy morning with one of the following 
balls: ]*ine tar 2 ozs., pulverized gentian root 
1 oz. Mix well together, and divide Into eight 
balls. Keep the body warm, and give no eoru. 

WorniH. 

Thousands of animals die annnally from the 
ravages of these pests, without the true cause 
being even suspected ; especially is this the 
case in the young of the mare, cow, sheep and 

Detsing, a German author, in his work on 
Eutoyoa, mentions twenty varieties of worms 



176 

belonging to the horse, nineteen to the ox, six- 
teen to the sheep, etc., yet veterinary writers 
have mentioned but five or six of these varie- 
ties as belonging to our domestic animals, the 
symptoms of which have been as imperfectly 
described by them,. Each variety of worm has 
its characteristic symptoms, viz : In bots, we 
have rarely loss of condition, but when the bots 
become troublesome, colicky pains, gasping, 
quickened respiration, staring or haggard ex- 
pression of the eye, with a strong tendency to 
inflammation of the bowels, will be observed. 
In most other varieties of worms the symptoms 
are: debility, feebleness, sluggish movements, 
emaciation, staring coat, hide bound, and skin 
covered with scurvy, blotches, rigidity gf loins, 
small, feeble, but slightly accelerated pulse, 
respiration slow, tucked up belly, pallid appear- 
ance of the lining of the lip ; irregular, capri- 
cious, but persistent appetite, badly digested 
faeces, agitation of the heart and tail, and 
where the ascarides (fundament worms) exist, 
a whitish or yellowish white substance will be 
found about the fundament, indicated also by 
rubbing the tail. 

The treatment of these parasites heretofore 
have not been very satisfactory. The remedies 
most popular are : tartar emetic, calomel, pink 
root, terpentine, arsenic, green vitriol, kino, 
etc. The following will be found very useful : 
Calomel 3 drachms, tartar emetic 1 drachm. 
Mix and divide into three powders, one to be 
given at night for three successive nights ; to 
be followed in twenty-four hours with a good 
purging ball. 



177 



Bots 



Are the bugbear of the would be wise horseman. 
I would say that all respectable authors and 
practitioners, do not try to doctor for bots. If 
you imagine your horse to have bots, give an 
ounce of sulphuric ether in a pint of linseed 
oil. This is a favorite remed}^ and I insert it 
to gratify those who insist on treating for such 
a disease. This treatment will cause bots to 
pass through the system. 

This disease will be found in colts during the 
period of dentition. In many cases it causes 
little or no inconvenience. When the animal 
refuses to feed, in consequence of lampas, all 
that is necessary to be done is to lance the 
gums in several places. An ordinary pocket 
knife will answer the purpose. Give soft food 
for a few days, and administer the following, 
made into a ball : Barbadoes aloes 4 drachms, 
nitrate potassa 2 drachms, ginger pulverized 2 
drachms ; mix with molasses. 

store Month. 

The lips frequently become sore at the angles 
of the mouth, from cutting or bruising of the 
bit. Tincture of myrrh and aloes, equal parts, 
applied to the sore will soon cause it to heal. 

tVolf Teeth. 

These teeth are found in all colts at some 
period from the first to the fifth year, but in a 

8* 



1?8 

large majority of them, they afe shed sooti 
after they make their appearance. What their 
function is I do not know. I have not found 
them to exert any influence over the eyes. If 
you wish them removed, pull them out with 
the dentist's forceps. 

S«te Throat. 

Symptoms : Difficulty in swallowing, fever, 
cough, stiffness about the head, etc. Treat- 
ment : Aqua ammonia 2 ounces, tincture can- 
tharides 1 ounce, linseed oil 8 ounces, oil orig* 
anum 2 drachms. Mix all well together and 
shake before using. Apply externally to the 
throat all the way down, and give the following 
ball : Barbadoes aloes 2 drachms, nitre 2 
drachms. Mix with molasses. Give one night 
and morning until the bowels ai'e relaxed. 

Strang^les. 

This is another form of sore throat, which, 
except in the hands of the skillful veterinary 
surgeon, frequently proves fatal. The throat 
swells from ear to ear, breathes heavily, flanks 
heave, the animal breaks out in a profuse per- 
spiration, breathing becomes loud and difficult, 
and unless relieved dies a violent death. Treat- 
ment : Poultice the throat with flaxseed meal, 
or bread and milk ; a turnip poultice will an- 
swer the purpose. The nostrils should be well 
steamed, mustard and vinegar should be freely 
applied to the throat until it becomes soft, and 
then the swelling should be lanced, when the 
animal is quickly relieved. 



179 



Inflnenza. 



Spring and fall are the seasons most produG* 
tive of epizootic (epidemic) catarrh. One year 
it assumes a mild form, the next, perhaps, a 
malignant one. Influenza is known under the 
common name of pink-eye distemper. 

Symptoms : These vary very considerable in 
different animals. The usual or leading symp- 
toms are : Slight watery or thin mucous dis- 
charges from the nose, eyelids presenting a 
reddish or orange red appearance ; matter col- 
lects in the corners of the eyes, pulse feeble, 
great debility, as shown by the quick, feeble 
action of the heart — symptom rarely absent, 
membrane of nose much reddened, sore throat 
and cough ; occasionally the feet becomes 
fevered as a founder, causing much stiffness, 
which may easily be mistaken for that disease. 
Treatment: This being a typhoid disease re- 
^luires a sustaining treatment, or our success 
will be very doubtful. In the early stage of the 
disease give the first two days ten drops of tinc- 
ture of aconite, or bryonia, in a little water, 
every six hours, after which give a pail of water 
to drink once a day, 1 ounce of spirits of nitre, 
or 2 drachms of extract of belladonna; and 
give in the feed, three times a day, one of the 
•following powders : Gentian root, saltpetre and 
anise seed, of each 1 ounce, sulphate of quinine 
1 drachm ; mix and divide into eight powders ; 
or, powdered cinchona and powdered quassia, 
of each 2 ounces, powdered anise seed 1 ounce ; 
mix and divide into four powders. The throat 
should be bathed with mustard and vinegar, or 
with linseed oil 3 ounces, spirits of hartshorn 1 
ounce, mixed together. No hay or corn should 



IBO 

be given, but scalded oats or wheat bran, with 
linseed tea, or oatmeal gruel, should constitute 
the diet; a few carrots would be very good, 
and above all, good nursing is very desirable. 



Broncbitls. 

This is an inflammation of the bronchial 
tubes, as its name implies, the air tubes of the 
lungs. It is usually preceded by a shivering 
lit, the mouth is hot and full of saliva, the 
throat is sore, and if pressed upon excites a 
painful cough, discharge from the nose, appe- 
tite lost, pulse quick and respiration labored, 
eyelids and nostrils reddened ; on applying the 
ear to the side a gurgling sound is heard. 

Treatment : Give the following ball in the 
early stage of the disease : Nitrate of potassa, 
pulverized digitalis and tartrate of antimony, of 
each half a drachm, molasses sufficient to make 
the ball. If the fever is not broken in twelve 
hours repeat the ball. As soon as the desired 
object is obtained give one of the following 
powders twice a day in a sloppy mash : nitrate 
of potassa IJ ounces, nitrate of soda 6 ounces, 
divide into six powders ; or give the following : 
Extract of belladonna 1 drachm, spirits of nitrQ 
1 ounce, solution of acetate of ammonia 4 
ounces, in half a pint of water, as a drench. 
The throat and sides should be blistered ; the 
ordinary fly blister, made thin with turpentine, 
is very good, or mustard mixed with equal parts 
of water and spirits of hartshorn. Either of 
the above when used should be well rubbed in 
with the hand. 



181 



Xasal Gleet. 

This is a chronic discharge from one or both 
nostrils, of a whitish, muco-perulent matter, 
the result usually of neglected catarrh. The 
general health of the animal does not seem to 
sufier ; he looks well, feeds well and works well, 
yet we have this discharge, which is caused by 
weakness in the secretory vessels of the lining 
membrane of the nose. The successful treat- 
ment in all cases where this disorder has ex- 
isted has been on the tonic principle ; bleeding 
and purging are positivelj^ injurious. Give one 
of the following powders night and morning : 
Seaquin-chlorid of iron 2 ounces, powdered 
cinnamon 1 ounce ; mix and divide into four 
powders ; or carbonate of iron, pulverised gen- 
tian and pulverized quassia, of each 1 ounce ; 
divide into four powders ; or nux vomica pul- 
verized I ounce, linseed meal 2 ounces ; divide 
into eight powders. Another good preparation 
is muriate of baraties J ounce, linseed meal 1 
ounce ; divide into eight powders. 

Canker. 

This is a more aggravated form of thrush, 
often proving very troublesome to manage. It 
is a continuation of the thrush between the 
horny frog and the internal structures of the 
foot, causing separation between them. Treat- 
ment : Cut away all the horn which has been 
separated from the soft structures of the foot, 
and apply the following ointment : Take equal 
parts of pine tar and lard, melt over a slow fire 
and add sulphuric acid very slowly until ebulli- 
tion ceases, or use colodion J ounce, castor oil 



1B2 

1 ounce ; mix and apply to the parts. The foot 
must be protected from dirt by a bandage or 
a leathern boot. 

Ol^btbalmy Simple. 

Inflammation of the eye frequently occurs in 
young horses soon after stabling. Symptoms t 
A watery discharge from the eye, eyelids partly 
closed, membrine of lid on under side much 
reddened. Treatment : Give the following 
ball and bleed from the angular vein under the 
eye, allowing it to bleed until it stops from the 
coagulation of the blood : Barbadoes aloes 6 
drachms, nitrate potassa 2 drachms, tartrate of 
antimony 1 drachm ; mix with molasses or 
honej^ in one ball. Bathe the eye with a salu- 
tion, as follows: : Laudanum 1 ounce, rain water 
1 pint; mix. Or, acetate of lead 1 drachm, 
sulphate of zinc ^ drachm, rain water 3 pints ; 
mix for use. Either of the above may be ap- 
plied with a soft sponge two or three times a 
day. 

Spcciflc Opbthaliny (Moon Blindness.) 

Symptoms: Membranes of the eye reddened, 
opacity, or white film over the eye ball, watery 
discharges from the eyes, which are partially 
closed. This disease is seldom cured effectu- 
ally, but the eyes may be cleared up and the 
attacks warded off for some time by the follow- 
ing treatment : open the bowels with the follow- 
ing ball : Barbadoes aloes 1 ounce, gentian pul- 
verized 2 drachms, niter pulverized 2 drachms ; 
mix with molasses for one ball. Give night 
and morning one-half drachm doses of colchi- 
cum root in the feed, which should be mashes, 



183 

and bathe the eye with the following wash t 
laudanum 1 ounce, rain water 1 pint. Mix, 
and bathe the eye two or three times a day* 
Or, extract belladonna 1 drachm, rain water 1 
pint; mix and use in like manner. 

For SpaTin^ 

Five ounces euphorbeum, 2 ounces Spanish 
flies (fine), 1 ounce iodine, dissolved with alcho- 
hol, J ounce red precipitate, I ounce corrosive 
sublimate, J ounce quicksilver, 6 ounces hog's 
lard, 6 ounces white turpentine, J pound verdi- 
gris. Melt the lard and turpentine together, 
then while hot add all together. Mix well, 
when cold, fit for use. Rub it in thoroughly on 
the spavin every day for three days ; then wash 
clean with soap suds ; omit for three days and 
then repeat for three days again, and so on until 
a perfect cure is produced. {Should it blister, 
use it more cautiously. Used with much 
success. 

To Cure a Weakness of the Back. 

The horse is sometimes so weak in the back 
he sometimes falls and is unable to get up. 
Give one grain of strychnine night and morn- 
ing ; next equal parts of pine tar and pitch 
warm until it spreads easily, and spread over 
the small of the back, from the hip forward ten 
inches, and across to almost the points of the 
hips. Then spread on cantharides until the 
pitch is thoroughly covered. Then cover with 
two thicknesses of cotton flannel. To be left 
on until the horse is fully recovered. Given by 
A. G. Madison, of Massilon, O. Claimed he 
had cured several cases by this treatment so 



184 

bad that there was no use of the hind parts. 
The treatment is good. 

Hoof Ointment. 

Take resin 4 ounces, beeswax 5 ounces, lard 
2 pounds; melt together; pour in a pot, and 
add 3 ounces turpentine, 2 ounces finely pul- 
verized verdigris, 1 lb. tallow ; stir all until 
it gets cold. This is one of the best med- 
icines for the hoof. It is also good for caulk 
or bruises of the feet. 

Hoof ointment Ho. d» 

Hesin 4 ozs., beeswax 4 ozs., lard 2 pounds, 
tallow 1 pound ; melt together, and when cool 
stir in oil of turpentine 4 ozs. 

l^hrush. 

This is a rotting of the frog, with a discharge 
of matter from the cleft or division of the frog, 
occasionally producing lameness. The treat- 
ment is simple and eftectual* Wash the parts 
well with soap and water, then apply powdered 
sulphate of copper to the parts, and fill up all 
the cavities with cotton, packed in, so as to 
keep out all dirt. This process should be re- 
peated in a few days if necessary. 

For Stifle. 

First, prepare your medicine. Take 4 quarts 
white oak bark — rosked ; put in 8 quarts water ; 
boil to 2 quarts. Turn oif the liquid while hot, 



185 

and add a three-penny paper of tobacco. Now let 
stand until a little above blood heat. Now heat a 
flat iron or a brick, then proceed immediately to 
put the stifle in its place. Now bathe it thoroughly 
with the decoction about five minutes, then 
apply your flat iron as near as the animal will 
bear, until all absorbed. Then give the animal 
rest for one hour, and if it should possibly slip out 
again, repeat as before, observing care about 
straining for a few days. 

"Warts. 

These fungous growths appear in the horse 
most frequently about the mouth, nose and lips; 
but they are occasionally found upon other 
parts of the body. They are sometimes found 
in large numbers about the lips of colts, and 
are generally rubbed oft', or drop off; if, 
however, they grow large and become deeply 
rooted, they may be cut oft' by passing a needle 
through the center, armed with a double thread, 
and tied tightly around the neck on each side. 
This prevents the possibility of the ligatures 
being rubbed off. Or, they may be painted 
over with the per-manganate of potash, a few 
applications of which will entirely destroy 
warts of a large size, or they may be removed 
with a knife. 

Dinretic Drops 

That are reliable for stoppage of water, foul 
water, or inflammation of the kidneys, in all 
cases : 

Take of sweet spirits of nitre 4 ounces, balsam 
copaiba 2 ounces, oil of junip-^r 2 ounces, spirits 



186 

of turpentine 2 ounces, gum camphor (pulver- 
ized) 1 ounce ; mix all together, and shake well, 
bottle, and it is fit for use. For man or beast, 
under all circumstances where a diuretic is re- 
quired. 

Dose : For a horse, one ounce in a half pint of 
milk once in six hours ; for a man, one tea- 
spoonful in a tablespoonful of milk once in six 
hours. Be sure and shake the ingredients up 
well before turning out for use. 

For Man^e, JEtc; 

Tar 1 ounce, sulphur | ounce, lard 1 J ounces ; 
mix. Useful in mange and other skin diseases. 
Another for the same : Sulphur 1 J ounces, oil 
juniper | ounce, resin ointment 3 ounces ; mix. 

To Recruit a Horse Side-boand or Otherwise Oat of 

Sorts. 

Nitrate potassa (or saltpetre) 4 ouoces, crude 
antimony 1 ounce, sulphur 3 ounces. Nitrate 
of potassa and antimony should be finely pul- 
verized, then add the sulphur and mix the 
whole well together. Dose: A tablespoonful 
of the mixture in a bran mash daily. A favor- 
ite remedy. 

A Sbonlder Strain. 

This is caused by severe blows, strains or 
falls, etc. Symptoms : The animal drags the 
leg, with the toe on the ground, and cannot 
raise the foot. Treatment: Local bleeding is 
very effectual, with a purging ball. Fomenting 
the shoulder with hot water will be found use- 
ful in two or three days. The following lini- 



187 

ment should be applied two or three times a 
day : Laudanum 1 ounce, spirits camphor 1 
ounce, tincture myrrh 1 ounce, castile soap 1 
ounce, alcohol 1 pint ; mix for use. Or, linseed 
oil 1 pint, oil turpentine 2 ounces, spirits harts- 
horn 3 ounces; mix, shake well, and use once 
a day for three or four days. 

Spavin and Ring-bone. 

These are diseases of precisely the same char- 
acter, requiring the same treatment. They are 
too well understood to take up time for their 
consideration, in a pathological sense, in a work 
like this. 

Treatment : Blister the parts once in two 
weeks, and turn out to grass. A good applica- 
tion is the following : Fly blister 2 ounces, tur- 
pentine 1 ounce ; mix for use. Or, fly blister 2 
ounces, turpetine 1 ounce, oil origanum J ounce; 
mix. 

Splints. 

Treatment: The same as for spavin, or the 
following will be found to answer a good pur- 
pose : Iodine ointment 1 ounce, mercurial oint- 
ment J ounce ; mix and apply once a day for a 
week. 

The following is an excellent application for 
either of the above, but must be used cau- 
tiously: Powdered cantharides 1 ounce, oil of 
turpentine 1 ounce, powdered cuphorbium ^ 
ounce, oil origanum J ounce, lard 8 ounces ; 
mix. 

Blood Spavin. 

If not of long standing, the following will be 
found very efiective though simple : Rub on 



188 

soft soap at night and wash off* in the morning, 
repeating until cured. Two or three applica- 
tions will cure if recently caused. The firing 
iron is the surest and safest remedy for spavin, 
but must be used with skill. 

Cbronic Cotigrli. 

This is generally the consequence of neglect- 
ed catarrh affections, worms, etc. Treatment: 
Give the following twice a day : Barbadoes 
aloes 2 ounces, linseed meal 13 ounces; mix 
with molasses; dose 1 ounce. Or, ammonia- 
cum 1 ounce, squills pulverized J ounce, aloes 
pulverized 1 ounce, linseed meal 16 ounces ; 
mix with molasses and divide into four balls, 
one to be given at night only. 

To Care Cong^li— ITo. 2 (Excellent). 

Put all the tar into alcohol it will cut, and 
add one-third in quantity of tincture belledonna. 
Dose : From one to two teaspoonfuls once or 
twice a day. Yery good. 

F->r Wind Galls. 

Olive oil 3 ounces, nitric acid 1 ounce. Rub 
in as much daily, or every second or third day, 
as it will bear without starting the hair. 

Palpitation of the Heart. 

This disease is known to horsemen as the 
** thumps," in consequence of the violent 
action of the heart, causing a jerking or shaking 
of the entire animal frame, observable at a dis- 



189 

tance of several yards. This disease is some- 
times preceded by an obscure lameness, gen- 
erally occurring in the off fore-leg, which in 
medical language is termed sympathetic. 

Treatment: The worst cases yield in two 
hours to the following simple treatment : Di- 
vide a drachm of digitalis into live powders and 
give one every fifteen minutes on the tongue. 

Cliarbone. 

1 drachm hyoceamus, 1 drachm quinine, 1 
drachm aconite, 2 ounces water. Give from fortv 
to sixty drops every hour in water. Take the 
blows and roots of alder, make a strong tea of 
them, and give all the horse will drink of it. 
Seton in the breast, also back of the fore-legs, 
on each side. 

To Cure an Indolent Ulcer. 

Take the green scum that gathers on the 
water in the frog ponds in the spring and sum- 
mer. Boil over a slow fire; then add fresh 
butter, to the consistence of an ointment. An 
Indian remedy; cured an ulcer that had re- 
sisted all other treatment. 

Anti-Spasmodic Tincture for Man or Horse. 

Oil of cajeput 1 ounce, oil of clo.ves 1 ounce, 
oil of peppermint 1 ounce, oil of anise 1 ounce, 
alcohol 1 quart. Mix all together and bottle 
for use. Dose for horse : 1 ounce every fifteen 
minutes in a little whisky and hot water, sweet- 
ened with molasses. Continue until relieved. 
Dose for a man, 1 teaspoonful. The alcohol 
or whisky should be omitted if given for colic. 



190 



Maggie Ijiniment. 



Two ounces oil of spike, 2 ounces of organ- 
um, 2 ounces hemlock, 2 ounces wormwood, 4 
ounces sweet oil, 2 ounces spirits ammonia, 2 
ounces gum camphor, 2 ounces spirits turpen- 
tine, and 1 quart proof spirits — 90 per cent. 
Mix well together, and bottle tight. For 
sprains, bruises, lameness, etc., this liniment, 
without turpentine, has achieved wonderful 
cures for human ailments. For domestic pur- 
poses it is invaluable. (This is pretty strong, 
and must be used cautiously.) An exellent 
counter irritant. 

liinimeut for Open W.oands. 

Take sulphate of copper (copperas) one ounce, 
white vitroil 2 ounces, muriate of soda (salt) 

2 ounces, oil linseed two ounces, Orleans mo- 
lasses 8 ounces. Boil over a slow fire fifteen 
minutes in a pint of urine all of the above in- 
gredients. When nearly cold add 1 ounce of 
oil of vitroil and 4 ounces of spirits of turpen- 
tine, and bottle for use. Apply to the wound 
with a quill, which will soon set the wound to 
discharging, and perform a cure in a few days. 
Be careful to keep the wound covered either by 
a bandage or a plaster. Should be applied 
once or twice a day, until it discharges freely. 

stimulating: Uniment for Injuries, Bruises, Etc. 

Two ounces oil hemlock, 1 ounce organum, 2 
ounces oil spike, 3 ounces spirits ammonia, 

3 pints alcohol. Mix, and let stand for 
twenty-four hours, when, if too strong, reduce 
by adding one-third alcohol. 



191 



Sitfosts. 



These are dark, hard, scabby spots upon the 
back, which are^dead skin, and cannot be easily 
removed ; but by poulticing for several days 
they become soft and may be torn off. Tincture 
of myrrh, applied two or three times a day, 
will generally effect a cure after the dead skin 
is removed. 

Warbles. 

These arise from bruises, which cause super- 
ficial swellings that sometimes supperate. They 
should be freely opened, and the matter well 
washed out. A solution of sulphate of zinc or 
alum water, is all that is required to effect a 
cure. 

Wind Oatls, Blood Spavins, Thoronghpins, lEte, 

Two ounces salmoniac, 2 ounces alum, 2 
ounces saltpetre. Put into a pint of vinegar 
and heat until drssolved. Put on as hot as can 
be borne once a day. 

When there is much enlargement, add the 
following liquid blisters to half a pint of the 
above, and apply once a day : J ounce cantha- 
rides, 1 gill alcohol, 1 gill spirits turpentine. 
This is highly recommended. 

Keaves. 

Give 1 tablespoonful lobelia seed once a day. 
At the same time keep the bowels a little re- 
laxed by giving small doses of aloes, or mash- 
ing. This is highly recommended. A favorite 
remedy. 



192 



Farcy— Care of. 



One-quarter pound sulphur, J pound salt- 
peter, 1 ounce black antimony. If acute, give 
one tablespoonful twice a day. If sub-acute, 
once or twice a week. The sum of $50 was 
repeatedly paid for this prescription. 

Scratch Ointment. 

Two ounces Goulard's extract, 2 ounces sul- 
phate of zinc, 8 ounces lard. This prescription 
was highly valued. The medicine had a large 
sale, and considered very valuable. Said to be 
good for rheumatism. Invaluable for the cure 
of corns, sore teats, or swelled milk bag usual 
after calving. Was sold repeatedly for '^ ^ " 



To Reduce Swelling of the I^eg^s and Streugrtlieu the 
Tendons after Hard Driving. 

A favorite remedy on Long Island. One 
pint alcohol, 1 ordinary sized beef gall, 1 
ounce organum, 1 ounce oil spike, 1 ounce gum 
myrrh, J ounce camphor gum. Frist w^ash and 
rub clean and dry. Then bathe with the lini- 
ment and rub dry. Then apply again and 
bandage the leg, being careful not to bandage 
too tight. This is an excellent remedy, in fact 
one of the best of liniments for strains or 
bruises. 

For Reducing Swelled liCgs, Etc. 

One tablespoonful of saltpeter to six quarts of 
soft water ; apply hot as possible. When there is 
much inflammation add a gill of camphorated 
spirits. This is also good. 



193 



Wasli for Reducing- an Inflamed Wonnd. 

One ounce sulphate of zinc, 1 ounce crotus mar- 
tes, h ounce sugar lead, 1 pint water. A sore will 
not smell bad when this wash is used. 

TVasb for Fresb Wonnds. 

One teaspoonful white vitriol, 1 teaspoonfnl cop- 
peras, 2 teaspoonfuls fine gunpowder ; add to 1 
quart of boiling water and let it stand until cool. 
If the wound is deep apply with a syringe. One 
of the best of remedies for the purpose recom- 
mended. 

Healing I^otion No. 3. 

Tincture myrrh 1 ounce, tincture aloes 2 ounces, 
water J pint : mix. 

liiniment for Mangle. 

No. 1 — Oil turpentine 4 ounces, oil tar 4 ounces, 
linseed oil 6 ounces ; mix- 

No. 2 — Blue ointment 2 ounces, camphor tinc- 
ture 1 ounce, spirits ammonia 2 ounces, sweet oil 
6 ounces ; mix. 

For Fresh Strains, Etc. 

Carbonate ammonia 2 ounces, apple vinegar J 
gill. Kub in well. An excellent remedy. 

Preparation to Kill I^ice on Horses. 

One ounce of arsenic to a pail of soft water. 
The horse should be washed thoroughly in some 
warm place. It is not known to many that hen 
lice and common human body lice grow on horses 
with great rapidity. This remedy is a sure cure, 
and is invaluable. 
9 



194 



Cure of Scratches, 



Four ounces tincture arnica, 4 ounces glycerine. 
If heels are cracked badly add : 1 ounce iodine, 2 
ounces tincture myrrh, h ounce gun powder (pow- 
dered fine). Put all into a bottle and shake 
thoroughly ; put on two or three times a day. 



Scratches. 

Wash the part clean with castile soap and rub 
dry. Then sprinkle on hickory wood ashes. Re- 
peat once a day. Given as an infallible means of 
cure ; cured after everything had failed (so claimed.) 

Cnre of Grease Heels. 

One-quarter pound bar lead melted, mix in sul- 
phur while hot ; let it burn until pulverized. Then 
add a tablespoonful of hog's lard. Wash the parts 
and rub on the ointment once or twice a day. A 
favorite remedy, and clauned to be very effective. 
Given by a physician. 

Cracked Heels. 

Two ounces resin, 2 ounces copperas, 2 ounces 
alum, 1 ounce beeswax, 1 pint tar, size hen's egg 
of tallow ; boil over a slow fire, skim ofi* the filth 
and add the scrapings of sweet elder a handful ; 
when cool fit for use. This is a remedy of great 
value ; have used it with the most marked success. 



To Care Weak Eyes. 

Take J ounce saltpetre, 1 ounce sulphate of zinc, 
1 ounce sugar of lead ; put in a pint of vinegar 



196 

and a quart of soft water ; take a small sponge, sat- 
urate with mixture, and squeeze in the hollow 
over the eye once a day until cured. This remedy 
was claimed to be very effective. Being a safe 
treatment it may be tried with confidence. 

Inflamed or Wounded Eyes. 

Medicamentum, or Harlem oil and calomel. 
Put as much of the oil as possible, with a feather, 
in the eye ; then fill a goose quill with calomel and 
blow into the eye. Repeat twice a week. 

Dr. Ives's Treatment for Inflammation of Bowels and 

Colic. 

One ounce laudanum, 1 ounce spirits nitre, 1 
ounce ether sulphuric, h pint water. Give as a 
drench ; if not better in from thirty minutes to an 
hour repeat the dose, adding h ounce laudanum and 
h ounce digitalis. 

To Cleanse tbe Blood. 

One ounce saltpetre, (in winter give less salt- 
petre,) 1 ounce resin, 1 ounce antimony, 1 ounce 
carbonate iron, 3 ounces cream tartar ; if there is 
a loss of appetite or cough add 3 ounces, fenugreek 
(pulverized), 2 ounces licorice (pulverized) root ; 
Dose : Tablespoonful two or three times a day.* — 
Dk. Ives. 

Tegretable Caustic. 

Make a strong lye of hickory or oak ashes, put 
into an iron kettle and evaporate to the consistency 
of thin molasses ; then remove into a sand bath 

* Note. — In all cases of this character bran mashes or soft 
food of some kind should be given. 



196 

and continue the evaporation to the consistency of 
honey. Keep it in a ground stopple glass jar. 

This caustic is very valuable in fistulas, cancers, 
scrofulas and indolent ulcers, particularly where 
there are sinuses, necrosis or decay of bone, and in ' 
all cases where there is proud flesh, and also to ex- 
cite a healthy action of the parts. It removes 
fungous flesh without exciting inflammation, and 
acts but little except on spongy or soft flesh. 

Condition Powders. 

Take 1 pound of ginger, 1 ounce of anise seed, 
pulverized, 1 ounce of fenugreek seed, 2 ounces of 
ginseng root pulverized, 1 ounce of the seed of 
sumach berries pulverized, 1 ounce of antimony ; 
mix it with 1 pound of brown sugar. This is ex- 
cellent for coughs, colds, or to give a horse an 
appetite. 

To Cover Heaves. 

Oil tar 1 ounce, oil amber 1 ounce ; mix and 
give 15 or 20 drops in feed daily. 

Simple liiniment for Braises and Blaturatin^ Soars 

A favorite remedy and highly recommended : 1 
tablespoonful of salts in a tumbler of whisky. Ap- 
ply night and morning. 

A Cbeap Simple liiniinent and Tery Oood. 

Salmoniac and vinegar. Excellent for bruises. 
Should be put on plentifully. 

Pnrg^ing' Balls. 

No. 1. — Barbadoes aloes 1 ounce, ginger pulver- 
ized 1 drachm, gentian pulverized 2 drachms; 
mix with molasses. 



197 

!N"o. 2. — Barbadoes aloes 1 ounce, ginger pulver- 
ized 1 drachm, gentian pulverized 1 drachm, croton 
oil (y drops ; mix with molasses. 

No. 3. — Barbadoes aloes 6 drachms, linseed meal 
i ounce, croton oil 4 to 8 drops ; mix with honey. 

No. 4. — Aloes 4 to 8 drachms, soft soap 4 
drachms, linseed meal 2 drachms; molasses to 
make ball. 

Tonic Balls. 

No. 1. — Arsenic white 6 to 8 grains, ginger 1 to 
2 drachms, linseed meal 2 drachms ; molasses suf- 
ficient to make ball. 

No. 2. — Sulph. copper 1 drachm, sulph. zinc 1 
scruple, aniseed 2 drachms, gentian 3 drachm ; 
molasses to make ball. 

No. 3 — Sulph. iron 2 drachms, gentian 2 drachms, 
ginger 1 drachm, caraway seeds h drachm ; mix 
with molasses. 

No. 4. — Cantharides pulverized 4 grains, sesqui- 
chloride of iron 2 drachms, cinnamon pulverized 1 
drachm ; mix with honey or molasses. 

Flatulent Colic. 

Sulphate of potash 2 ounces, gentian powdered 
2 drachms ; to be given in a pint of warm water. 

Powder for Sore Moutb. 

Prepared chalk 2 ounces, charcoal pulverized 1 
ounce, burnt alum i ounce, sulphate zinc 2 drachms; 
mix. 

Fever Draagrbt for Horses. 

Extract belladonna 1 drachm, spirits niter 1 
ounce, sal. acetate of ammonia 4 ounces ; mix. 
Comp. tine, cinnamon 3 ounces, dilute sulphuric 
9* 



198 

acid 4 ounces ; mix two tablespoonfiils in a quart 
of water ; to be e:iven to mares or cows in cases of 
flooding. 



to' 



For Diarrhoea in Horses. 

Powdered opium 1 drachm, powdered kino 2 
dracbms, prepared chalk i ounce. Mix and divide 
into three powders. Given at intervals of six 
hours. 

€nrb. 

This is an enlargement at the back of the hock, 
about four inches below the cap, arising from 
strains, bruises, breaking down of the hock, etc. 

Treatment : In recent cases the part should be 
bathed with tincture of iodine once a day, or use 
the iodine ointment. Take a little blood from the 
sephena vein, on the inside of the hind leg, above 
the hock. Should tliis not succeed, blisters must 
be resorted to. The same applications as are used 
for spavin, are applicable' here. 

How to Clean and Oil Harness. 

First, take the harness apart, having each strap 
and piece by itself ; then wash it with warm soap 
suds. When cleaned, black every part with the 
following dye : One ounce extract logwood, 12 
grains bi-chromate of potash, both pounded fine, 
when put into two quarts of boiling rain water, and 
stir until all is dissolved. When cool it may be 
used. You can bottle and keep for future use if 
you wish. It may be appied with a shoe brush, or 
anything else convenient. When the dye has 
struck in, you may oil each part with neats-foot oil, 
applied with a paint brush or anything convenient. 
For second oiling, use one-third castor oil and two- 
thirds neats-foot oil mixed. A few hours after 



199 

wipe clean with a woolen cloth, which gives the 
harness a glossy apj^earance. 

This preparation does not injure the leather or 
stitching, makes it soft and pliable, and obviates 
the necessity of oiling as often as is necessary by 
the ordinary mothod. 

Or^en Ointment. 

Take 6 pounds of lard, put in a ten gallon kettle, 
add 2 gallons of water, cut jimson weeds and fill 
them in, and cook them four to six hours slow, and 
cook all the water out, then put into jars. Add to 
each pound of ointment 1 ounce of turpentine. 
This is cheap and good stable ointment. Good for 
scratches, galls, cuts, etc. 

Cnre for Hog^ Cholera. 

Chloride of lime one ounce, blue stone one ounce, 
dissolved in water. This is enough for three 
feeds. The corn must be soaked twelve hours in 
this liquid before feeding. Feed once a day for 
three days, or in case the disease is very stubborn, 
feed twice a day for two or three days. This has 
been thoroughly tested, and cured every case, and 
may be considered a positive cure. 

Worms. 

Symptoms : The horse eats but will not thrive, 
his belly gets big, his hair stays. 

Cure : Give one quart of strong tea made of 
wormwood, at night. The next day give 7 drachms 
of aloes, 2 drachms of calomel. Make into a ball 
and give it. Give no cold water for forty-eight 
hours ; make it milk warm. Give him two or 
three bran mashes and some of the cleansing pow- 
der. If he shows any more symptoms, repeat the 
dose in three weeks. This will never fail. 



200 



Cleansing: Powder. 

This is used when the blood is out of order- 
good to restore lost appetite, yellow water, etc. 
Take 1 pound of good ginger, 4 ounces powdered 
gentian, 1 ounce of nitre, J oz,, of crude antimony. 
Mix all well ; give one large spoonful every day 
in wet food. This is perfectly safe. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Applying "War Bridle 87 

Antispasmodic Tincture 189 

Backing 35 

Balking Double 72 

Botts 177 

Bloody Urine 168 

Blood Spavin 187 

Bronchitis 180 

Balking iiv^.iiw;j;vAi.. 67 

Bitting 28 

Biting and Striking 78 

Breeding 110 

Care in Breeding 16 

Colts must not be excited 16 

Courage 20 

Cribbing 80 

Contraction 143 

Corns 147 

Cough, to Cure 188 

Canker 181 

Chronic Cough 188 

Colic, (Spasmodic), Kemedies for 163-166 

Colic, Flatulent 197 

Charbone 189 

Condition Powders 196 

Cleansing Powder 200 

Cracked Heels 194 

Curb 198 

Diuretic Drops 185 

Distemper 169 

Diarrhea 167-198 

Driving Double 33 

Diseases and their Treatment 154 



202 

Education of Horses, &c 5 

Extremes of Intelligence and Temper 10 

Fine Blooded Horses Require more Care 13 

Fistula of Withers 170 

Farcy 192 

Fear 39 

Fear of a Robe 43 

" Umbrella, Sound of a Gun, Railroad Cars 44 

" Objects while Riding 45 

" Blinders 46 

Feeding 121 

Feeding Colts 125 

Fever Draught 197 

For Fresh Strains 193 

For Stifle 184 

For Reducing Swelled Legs... » 192 

For Spavin 183 

For Wind Galls 188 

Four Ring Bit 88 

Foot Strap 90 

Grease Heel 168-194 

Getting Cast in Stall 82 

Heaves 191 

Hoof Ointments 184 

Healing Lotions 193 

Handling the Feet 37 

Hitching in Wagon 32 

Hitching Colt * 27 

How to Clean Harness ....^ 198 

Hog Cholera, Cure for 199 

How Dexter is Fed and Watered 125 

Indication of Character 13 

Interfering 149 

Inflammation of Bowels.. 162 

" " " Dr. Ives' Remedy for 195 

Inflammation of Lungs i... 156-1 60 

Inflammation of Kidneys 166 

Inflammation of Bladder 166 

Inflammation of Brain 173 

Inflamed Wounds, Wash for 193 

Influenza 179 

Indolent Ulcer, Cure of. 189 

Inflamed or Wounded Eyes 195 

Jumping over Fences ,.. 83 

Kiss— Shake Hands , 133 

Kicking Cows 86 

Kindness 70 

Kicking in Stall 75 



203 

Kicking on Stall 85 

Kicking in Harness 56 

*' Straps 59 

'' while Harnessing 62 

" " Grooming 63 

" " Shoeing 63 

Lice, to Kill 193 

Laminitis 169 

Lampas 177 

Locked Jaw 173 

Liniment, Simple 196 

Liniment for Open Wounds 190 

Lie Down 130 

Mange 171 

Mange — Liniment for 186-193 

Magic Liniment 190 

Make a Bow — Say No 132 

Must see Objects from Different Positions 47 

Nasal Gleet 181 

Nail Holes and Nailing 141 

Ophthalma, Simple , 182 

Ointment, Green 199 

Profuse Staling 172 

Poll Evil 170 

Pricking , 150 

Pulling on Halter 77 

Putting Tongue out of Mouth 82 

Pawing in Stall ?.,...... 85 

Pulling on Bit, Turning Around while Driving, &c 85 

Pleurisy 158 

Purging Balls 196 

Palpitation of Heart 188 

Preparation to Kill Lice 193 

Quarter Crack 148 

Quitter ..:.. 171 

Rheumatism 175 

Riding 35 

Running Back 55 

Running Away 52 

Safety Shafts 50 

Sore Mouth 177-197 

Sore Throat , 178 

Strangles 178 

Surfeit 172 

Saddle Galls 172 

Spavin, Ring Bone and Splints 187 

Specific Ophthalma 182 

Stimulating Liniment for Open Wounds t 190 



204 

stomach iSta2:e:ors 167 

Sitfasts r.r. 191 

iSc'rntohos 168-104 

Shouldor Strain 186 

Stono in Hbuldor 170 

Soratcli Ointment 102 

Swelling- of Legs, Kemcdy for 102 

Simple Liniment 106 

Shoeing 134 

Sweating, &c 104 

Stable. .r 117 

Sit Up 131 

Turning Around 53 

Trotting 01 

Teaehing Tricks 128 

To Follow— Follow with Whip 128 

The Shoe 138 

Truth and Uniformity 8 

Thrush 184 

To Kill Lice 193 

Tonic Balls 197 

To Cover Heaves 196 

To Cleanse the Blood 195 

To Kecruit a llorso llide-Bound or Out of Sorts 186 

. To Keduce Swelling of tho Legs 192 

To Cure Weak Back 183 

To Cure AVcak Eyes 194 

To Cure Cough 188 

To Cure an Indolent Ulcer 180 

Vegetable Caustic 195 

Warbles 191 

Wash for Fresh Wounds 193 

Wash for lleducing an Inllamed Wound 103 

Wind Galls, Blood^ Spavins, &c 191 

Worms 175-199 

Wolf Teeth 177 

AVarts 185 

AVar Bridle 86 

AVhipping Dangerous 17 

Wild Colt 24 

Weak Hools — Shoes 161 

Watering ...126 



f^ T-EIEi 

NKW SYSTli^M 



OK 



Educating Houses. 

[NCLUDINU 

INSTRUCTIONS ON TROTTING; 

HOW TO 

Feed, Water and Take Care of Horses ; How to 

Raise Sound, Gentle, Saleable Horses, 

and Teach to do Tricks. 

A TIIEATISE ON SHOEING. 

SlMl'LK S:VFK TIIKATMKNT l'"OU Tllli MOST COMMON FORMS OF 
ArUTK 1>ISKASKS, ALSO A 

LARGE NUMBER OF VALUABLE RECIPES 

NOT ItKKOItK rUlSLISHKI). 

EIGHTH EDITION, WRITTEN ANEW 

EXPRESSLY FOR THE USE OF THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN LESSONS OF 
I'llOFS. MAGNKR & GAGE. 

Parties assnmiug to teach the New System, and sell this Book, who are not 
authorized by special permission, are unworthy of confidence, and 
make themselves liable to prosecution. 



« # » 



I 



ROUHESTEK, N. Y. ^ 

^j^ KVKNl.\(i KXPUKSS BOOK PKINTlNc; KSTABLISHMKNT. ^ 



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